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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cradles
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
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
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
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradles
Noun
-
These disparities could reflect the different evolutionary histories and environmental birthplaces of Ryugu, Bennu, and the parent bodies of the Murchison and Orgeuil samples.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Those who live near their birthplaces can visit the local vital statistics office, but staffing shortages and escalating demand for REAL IDs have caused significant backlogs in some states.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The sources described this as a discussion about how to launch direct talks.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The couple's adult children from previous relationships are meeting this weekend, sources told TMZ.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alyoshka’s mother clings to the hope that her son represents, and finds his reluctance to play his role impossible to understand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Sprinkle with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and leaves from 1 fresh basil sprig, chopped, and toss again until the sauce clings to the pasta.—
Demi Lovato,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The origins of the film, like the film itself, lay in both personal and cinematic history.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The festival's origins stretch back to the Roman festival of Floralia, which was held to celebrate the goddess of spring and fertility and has been reinvented numerous times in the centuries that followed, according to the National Trust.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Harper, an archeologist, said the area has an unusually high water table and is riddled with natural springs.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Atlanta Braves may have gotten off to a rocky start this year, what with so many key players sidelined with injuries until later in the season, but hope springs eternal.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This hearty dish grabs extra flavor from browning the pork chops very well in the skillet in order to produce a flavorful pan sauce with mustard and cream.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Think about how many times a day everyone in your household touches a light switch or grabs the remote.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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