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
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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
1
2
as in to mother
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cradle
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, farmworker communities are reeling – especially in Central California, which became the cradle of the farm labor movement.
—Kerry Klein, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
While most pies rely on a pastry crust to cradle their fillings, Angel Pie is different.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Noun
In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, farmworker communities are reeling – especially in Central California, which became the cradle of the farm labor movement.
—Kerry Klein, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
All Fox could do was cradle Truman’s hand, stare straight ahead, summon a proud mournful dignity, and try to pretend that the people all around them did not exist.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
While most pies rely on a pastry crust to cradle their fillings, Angel Pie is different.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
Noun
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The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Mütter Museum are celebrating the United States' 250th birthday with a series of exhibits showcasing the birthplace of American medicine.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t leave without a muffuletta sandwich from Central Grocery, the sandwich’s birthplace and a NOLA original since 1906.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The draft footprint itself, including both sides of the Allegheny River, can only hold a little more than a football stadium, the source said, roughly 80,00 to 90,000 people.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Ahead of its release, Humberstone sat down with PEOPLE to discuss her source of inspiration.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Pennsylvania, attorney Ben Post, whose firm is listed in court filings as defense counsel in 16 Prospect malpractice lawsuits, filed motions late last year seeking to clamp a stay on several malpractice cases.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Needing a stop, Aaron Gordon clamped De’Aaron Fox to force an air-ball at the shot clock buzzer.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps pasta or pizza with cheese is so comforting because we’re literally being mothered by flowering plants and bovines?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
One way to combat that, as a gardener, is to start plants by seed instead of buying plants that someone else has started, watered and mothered for months.—
Henry Homeyer,
The Providence Journal,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The design captures the majesty and beauty of its origin.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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What began as a small corn mill and tortillería has since grown into a full dining room and taquería where the pair nixtamalize single-origin corn to coax out its full spectrum of unique flavors and textures.—
Anais Martinez,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That nine gripped me with urgency to get more people to call for truth and remembrance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Arsenal would be foolish to write off a player in this kind of form, with this kind of confidence, and gripped by the kind of never-say-die attitude that has characterised a dramatic career.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pittsburghers usually don't see the fountain on until May, but leaders say this has everything to do with preparing Pittsburgh for the world stage and the NFL draft.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Add instant eye appeal to your hardscape design with a small pond that includes a fountain.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nutsedges have nut-like tubers clinging to them.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
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Imagine the ribs are a bottle and the mucus is the ketchup desperately clinging to its sides, Welsh says.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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