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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of germ
Chicken and turkey carried the highest-risk strains of bacteria, but pork and beef also carried the illness-causing germs.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Dirt and germs breed bad odors.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Everything that might harbor germs was dangerous.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Lifeway Foods Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen Keep your mouth fresh and clean and kill bad-breath germs with Listerine On-The-Go Cool Mint Alcohol Free Mouthwash.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Dirt and germs breed bad odors.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Everything that might harbor germs was dangerous.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Lifeway Foods Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen Keep your mouth fresh and clean and kill bad-breath germs with Listerine On-The-Go Cool Mint Alcohol Free Mouthwash.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
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What’s more, the Fila Museum’s exhibition features a time tunnel that aims to immerse visitors in the brand’s history, retracing its path from origin to the latest developments in sportswear and fashion through iconic garments and multimedia content.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Each box of pods follows the same format as their whole bean deliveries, single origin from a range of different coffee-producing countries and ready to drop right into a Keurig machine.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The roots anchor in the soil, providing a firm foundation for stems, branches, and leaves.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Mulch provides insulation from extreme temperatures (cold and hot) by protecting the root system.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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When teams are fighting for home-court advantage or top-six seeds in their conference or even just trying to make the Play-In Tournament, this early-season execution in crunch time will provide a massive advantage or disadvantage.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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This flavorful twist to the classic cranberry chutney has a little something extra, thanks to the addition of cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, cloves, and mustard seeds.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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But that was the beginning of everything for both of us.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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