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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Recent Examples of 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
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
-
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
-
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
-
Whenever using space heaters in a bathroom or kitchen, take all precautions to reduce the risk of electric shock whether that's positioning your heater away from water sources like sinks and showers.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Plot details are under wraps, though sources tell us this is a cop film.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cherry Blossoms • Monique’s picking up on the intensity with which Angel clings to her identity as an NFL wife was genuinely insightful and has the potential to be a real breakthrough moment for Angel in what has been a very fraught season for her.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
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Furthermore, the editorial clings to an outdated vision of the Loop as solely a 9-to-5 business district.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This sporty version pays homage to the '80s and the sneaker’s soccer origins by adding a super-long foldover tongue.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Neither the Lincoln Club, Lincoln Media, the California Courier or the Courier writers responded to multiple requests for comment about the origins of the site, either through email phone, or social media messages.—
Colin Lecher,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
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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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Their Riverhouse Cruises, with and without diners being served, depending on the occasion, will take in the beauty of the general area and sights along the way will include Gillette Castle, Haddam springs, the Swing Bridge, Goodspeed Musicals (Goodspeed Opera House).—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
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Mike Fiebig, southwest river protection director for the nonprofit American Rivers, told Outside that, although the CECs were found in small amounts, the findings are concerning for animals that depend on the springs, especially frogs and salamanders.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But as the ball arrives the defender grabs the jersey with the right hand and pulls the defender down.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As one officer grabs at her door handle, a third officer who had circled to the front of the SUV from the opposite side draws his gun.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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