as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops
this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of germ
Simply take a soft cloth with a mild cleaner and give them a wipe—both to remove dust and grime, and to clear off any lingering germs that might hop from person to person.
—
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Some of them could pass their resistance genes to more dangerous germs, raising concerns about the potential development of highly drug-resistant superbugs.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2026
Raw milk has not been pasteurized — a process that heats milk to remove disease-causing germs.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then use a bleach solution or sanitizing spray to reduce germs.
—Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Some of them could pass their resistance genes to more dangerous germs, raising concerns about the potential development of highly drug-resistant superbugs.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2026
Raw milk has not been pasteurized — a process that heats milk to remove disease-causing germs.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then use a bleach solution or sanitizing spray to reduce germs.
—Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
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Military and dual-use AI capabilities, many with commercial origins, are being tested and deployed.—
Jared Cohen,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Soma, a young woman who is searching for her own origins.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While neighboring vineyards resorted to grafting their vines onto pest-resistant American roots, DRC used various intensive strategies to keep its original European vines intact, at least until the 1940s.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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In 2017, McRae went back to her YouTube roots and uploaded a video of herself singing an original ballad.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The individual beads are large hollow spheres containing okra seeds.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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This minimizes the chance of birds or pests removing the seeds or wind or rain blowing or washing them away.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Intertextuality is described by Scarlett Barton in perhaps the opposite way, as linked to Roland Barthes’ observation that the author is dead, and that the text is the dissolution of every kind of voice, every beginning and core.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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This approach may appeal to taxpayers who want more personalized guidance at the beginning of the tax relief process before deciding how to proceed.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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