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

cradle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to clamp

Synonyms & Similar 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

Synonyms & Similar 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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of cradle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Samjiyon straddles the Chinese border and is close to the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, Mount Paektu, an active volcano of paramount importance and historic significance to both North and South Koreans, as it is considered the cradle of the Korean people. —Gawon Bae, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024

For decades, the river—a vital artery in the heart of Paris—has been considered a cradle for pollution. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 8 Aug. 2024

Verb

One chilly midwinter morning, Goldsborough found Moni sitting by herself on a high tree stump in the center of her enclosure, cradling something in her arms. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2024

The video began with various clips of True as a baby, including Kardashian cradling her in her arms while in bed as a butterfly filter appeared over the tops of their heads. —Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024