cradles 1 of 2

noun

plural of cradle
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

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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

cradles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cradle
1
as in clings

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2
as in fathers

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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
Noun
Egypt, one of the word’s cradles of civilization, is also a vibrant, modern country. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 This 10-pack of plastic melon cradles was a lifesaver last year once my pumpkins started maturing late July. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026 The simulations also tracked how matter moves through stellar cradles. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 June 2026 The best way to store a boat on land is to leave it on a trailer or place it on jack stands and cradles. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradles
  1. birthplaces
  2. sources
  3. clings
  4. mothers
  5. origins
  6. clamps
  7. nurtures
  8. springs
Noun
  • More than simply a source of beans — the Yergacheffe variety is popular — Yemen is often considered one of coffee’s historic birthplaces.
    — Christopher Hassiotis, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
  • These are the birthplaces of vast amounts of planets.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Definition of birthplaces
Noun
  • The Times, citing anonymous sources, reported the switch had come at the urging of the Secret Service, and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft, including antimissile capabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Some of the first reports indicated that Adebayo threw a punch at Herro’s head before the two were separated, but some league sources have indicated that initial portrayals of the fight were overblown.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of sources
Verb
  • The present clings to the past, like fava bean pesto should adhere to al dente paccheri.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
  • The dream has to be pinned down, even though a faint trace of this truth still clings to it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 June 2026
Definition of clings
Verb
  • Saturday Night Live host Matt Damon was cast as the adoring husband in Mom, an entirely inoffensive movie where nothing bad happens—something that mothers everywhere will enjoy.
    — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2026
  • Some parents − overwhelmingly mothers − are stepping back from full-time work or leaving the workforce altogether to accommodate the needs of their family.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of mothers
Noun
  • Athena Bitzis, now 54, of Stone Mountain, performed in the opening ceremony, portraying one of the muses in a segment honoring the ancient origins of the Olympic movement.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Bone Thugs’ origins are filled with tales of street violence, systemic poverty and simply learning how to survive in that kind of environment.
    — Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of origins
Verb
  • The twisting barrel easily clamps to hair (without pulling) and gives you long-lasting curls for up to two days.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 June 2026
  • The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of clamps
Verb
  • An influential alcohol industry, which nurtures deep ties to lawmakers, charitable groups, and consumers, has kept a tight grip on regulation — at the expense of public health.
    — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 2026
  • The advent of artificial intelligence is giving a new shine to a liberal arts education, which career experts say nurtures the skills valued by employers as AI increasingly changes the workplace.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Definition of nurtures
Noun
  • The Luiseño Indigenous people bathed in the springs’ mineral waters since time immemorial, and one of the site’s first owners, Fritz Guenther, built a bathhouse and a couple of cottages there in 1902—essentially, the area’s first wellness resort.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
  • Dietz missed nearly all of the last two seasons — springs and summers — while recovering from a stress fracture in his elbow.
    — Keith Law, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of springs

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Cite this Entry

“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cradles for Spanish Speakers

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