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
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Recent Examples of 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
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
Noun
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
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
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 coalition is urging the state to find new sources of funding for the work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Authorities currently believe the woman shot the man and children before shooting herself, The LA Times reports, citing law enforcement sources.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The species also clings to a handful of shrinking water sources along its namesake river in northern Mexico.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
One clings desperately to her dreams, while the other sees an opportunity to climb the ranks within the system.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
While season 1 unveils the cult's origins and delves into the involvement of major key players (including Smallville actress Allison Mack, who, in July 2023, was released a year early from her three-year sentencing), season 2 shifts its focus to Raniere's court trial.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
The group brought together different professions, generations, styles, and geographic origins.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 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
-
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
Noun
-
But Bogan told the outlet those assurances fall short if construction bulldozes the critical turtle habitat, compromises the manmade earthen dam that holds the springs' pond, or destroys the mesquite thicket downstream where turtles shelter in winter.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
From ripe peaches and juicy cherries to overflowing amounts of summer squash and bright yellow cobs of corn, summer fruits and vegetables stand as a welcome apology for the dark winters and rainy springs before it.—
Staff Author,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Kennedy then pins the snake’s head and grabs it by the mouth, avoiding any potential venomous bites.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Davis grabs two suitcases off the belt, pulls out a handheld computer that looks like an extra-rugged iPad, and scans the bar codes on the luggage tags.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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