1
as in birthplaces
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 sources
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cradles
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Now on sale for less than $20, these pumpkin cradles are a simple but genius gardening hack that lifts squashes off the ground to prevent moisture build-up that can cause rot.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
The integrated foam handles and foot cradles offer comfort and versatility.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Now on sale for less than $20, these pumpkin cradles are a simple but genius gardening hack that lifts squashes off the ground to prevent moisture build-up that can cause rot.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradles
Noun
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People living far from their birthplaces face long-distance bureaucratic hurdles to get them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
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Their children’s birthplaces reflect their father’s journeyman status in the NFL, having started in at least one game for a record nine different teams during his 17-year career.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Currently, most data centers draw from the public grid rather than securing their own energy sources – a fact that many associate with sky-high electricity prices.—
Eric Schmidt,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hungary clings to Russian oil Hungary, along with neighboring Slovakia, have defied EU efforts to wean off Russian fossil fuels, and continued to purchase them despite Moscow’s invasion.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Go back to the very origins of Savannah pitching an alliance with her, Ozzy, Rick, and Joe.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Puzzling twist Scientists are one step closer to understanding the origins of complex life on Earth.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
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The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Barrington Elementary For more than a decade, Claudia Lopez joined other Barrington Elementary School mothers to cook a meal of turkey, potato salad, mashed potatoes, cornbread and chocoflan for Thanksgiving.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
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Because right now, with child care problems causing one in four parents, often mothers, to cut back working hours and one in six to leave entirely, Miami-Dade parents and businesses alike are feeling the pain.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In 1789, dentist John Greenwood made Washington a complete set from hippopotamus ivory, gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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Both players have had strong springs — Rodríguez threw three scoreless innings for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic on Monday — but their reassignments don’t come as a surprise.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Barber then grabs her firearm from her vehicle and Riley's girlfriend also retrieves an item from the vehicle, according to the complaint.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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