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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cradles
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
Verb
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
-
After her divorce from Billy Bob Thornton in 2003, Angelina Jolie removed the tattoo of his name from her left arm, replacing it with the coordinates of her globe-spanning family's birthplaces.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
As the home of the state’s oldest winery, it’s considered to be one of the birthplaces of Washington winemaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Doug Martin, a former running back for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died while in Oakland police custody early Saturday morning, multiple sources close to the investigation told this news organization on Sunday.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Los Angeles alone sources beef from 10 counties, and those beef suppliers rely on livestock from 469 counties, which are fed using crops grown in 828 counties.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Frehley picks up on the drummer’s simmering syncopation hereand unleashes a banshee-like howl of a solo that still clings to the band’s rhythm.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Baseball clings to its nine innings and statistical purity, even as pitch clocks, ghost runners and larger bases quicken the pace and spark fan interest.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The shape has also been appearing on runways in more exaggerated forms — including chunky hybrids and platform styles that push past their school-girl origins.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The Natural History Museum’s grand setting — home to exhibits exploring the origins of life and the cosmos — provides a fitting backdrop for the awards ceremony, aimed to bring together leaders across government, private industry and academia.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is an adjustable graphics-card brace, and its screw tightens the part that clamps it to the slide.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Here, Lloyd clamps a muzzle — part fetish club, part Bane — over Lucky’s mouth while Pozzo pushes him in a wheelchair (the actor, Michael Patrick Thornton, uses a chair).—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Learn more about Kentucky's early history at the park museum, and see active salt springs and the bison herd.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Bake until cake springs back when lightly touched, 10 to 11 minutes.—
Ivy Odom,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Never one to sit idly by, Danny grabs his NYPD shield and goes bulldozing his way to the crime scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And then Rising walks away, grabs the iPad and motions for Mayer to join him.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Getting creative with my style nurtures the confidence that empowers me to show up in the world authentically.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The vegan lip treatment delivers intense moisture via a peptide that smoothes and plumps, as well as hyaluronic acid that nurtures dry skin.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share