Synonyms of cradle

cradle 1 of 2

noun

ˈkrā-dᵊl 

1

as in birthplace

a place of origin

Philadelphia is known as "the cradle of liberty" because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• birthplace
• motherland
• home
• mother country
• hometown
• country
• nativity
• roots
• old country
• Blighty

2

as in source

a point or place at which something is invented or provided

the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls, New York, is often regarded as the cradle of the women's suffrage movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• source
• origin
• fountain
• root
• spring
• commencement
• beginning
• font
• wellspring
• well
• fountainhead
• seedbed
• genesis
• start
• inception
• launch
• dawn
• threshold
• outset
• onset
• kickoff
• baseline
• day one
• nascence
• nascency
• ground zero
• incipiency
• first base
• incipience
• morning
• get-go
• square one

cradle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to clamp

Related Words

• clamp
• grip
• cling
• grab
• bosom
• clasp
• hold
• embrace
• enfold
• grasp
• hug
• encircle
• envelop
• lock
• crush
• enclasp
• entwine
• bear-hug
• fold
• strain
• wrap
• embosom
• pet
• cuddle
• nuzzle
• nestle
• enwind
• stroke
• pat
• twine
• snuggle
• fondle

2

as in to mother

Related Words

• mother
• minister (to)
• teach
• nurture
• cultivate
• attend
• watch
• care (for)
• father
• foster
• school
• mentor
• mind
• educate
• train
• feed
• supply
• instruct
• rear
• nurse
• discipline
• forward
• breed
• provide (for)
• nourish
• raise
• bring up
• tutor
• promote
• indoctrinate
• further
• enlighten
• guide
• prepare
• edify
• advance
• lead
• shepherd
• show
• direct

Dissimilar Words

• abuse
• maltreat
• ignore
• mistreat
• neglect
• hurt
• ill-use
• harm
• mishandle
• ill-treat
• injure

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cradle

Noun

Here in a quiet public garden overlooked by the tourist guides, his fingers reverently trace a volcanic stone from Þingvellir, the ancient cradle of Icelandic democracy. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026

Civilizationists see Europe as both the historic cradle of Western civilization and the key source of its greatest threat, liberalism. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

On the wall, a neon sculpture of blue hands cradling a yellow heart framed by the spiky rays of a blue agave plant (Milagro’s icon) seemed to capture the spirit of the evening. — Sari Kamin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026

Julian loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling his body. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 16 June 2026