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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Dissimilar 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
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
  • El Niño and La Niña are the biggest sources of seasonal climate predictability.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The current outbreak has previously been linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, but officials haven’t ruled out additional sources of the infection.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sources
Verb
  • Throughout his wanderings, the uxorious Odysseus clings to a little doll figure, intended to represent his wife (like the spinning top clutched by Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Inception'); the real woman is barely more interesting.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026
  • The audience would also see the contrasting attitudes of Chiyoho, who clings to it, and Murashige, who turns his back on it.
    — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 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
  • The church’s origins date to the arrival of Christian missionaries in Mombasa in 1844, and its membership has long represented a diverse cross section of Kenyan society, with members of various ethnicities and social strata.
    — Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Like Amazon, Airbnb, and many other startup breakthrough stories, Whatnot traces its origins back to a small rental home.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 7 Aug. 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, 23 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
  • Sam is smart about his feelings, but has a kind energy that nurtures others with empathy and food.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of nurtures
Noun
  • However, with her memories recovered, Eun-sae springs into action to bring Sang-gil down herself, and save Tae-ha from his former boss’ revenge.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The antenna's shape is also reinforced with flexible fiberglass tape springs and a lightweight structure.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cradles for Spanish Speakers

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