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
Fill It Up Properly Knowing how to fill up your bottle properly is essential for reducing your exposure to germs.
—
Laura Schober, Health, 10 Apr. 2026
She was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa — an eye disease that causes vision loss — and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Door Handles, Light Switches and Remote Controls These high-touch surfaces collect germs daily but are rarely disinfected.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Flight attendants emphasize closing the toilet lid before flushing to help limit the spread of germs in tight airplane lavatories.
—Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
Laura Schober, Health, 10 Apr. 2026
She was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa — an eye disease that causes vision loss — and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Door Handles, Light Switches and Remote Controls These high-touch surfaces collect germs daily but are rarely disinfected.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Flight attendants emphasize closing the toilet lid before flushing to help limit the spread of germs in tight airplane lavatories.
—Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
-
Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News that spoofing or manipulating the tracking system can obscure a vessel's origins, destination and cargo.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The origin of its logo foretold the company's future role in creating many recognizable brands.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The platform’s new AI agent, René, allows dispatchers and fleet managers to investigate operational inefficiencies through simple conversational queries, identifying the root causes of issues like excessive overtime or route deviations.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In such cases, use of a deep root irrigator is recommended.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Doncic surged for a 60-point performance against the Miami Heat during the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak that ultimately put them in position for a top-half seed in the West despite Doncic’s and Austin Reaves’ injuries.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
20 Apr. 2026
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And this is where things get uncomfortable for the top seed.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least 126 solar projects proposed since the beginning of 2024 are awaiting regulatory approval, according to a Grist and AP analysis of the latest information developers supplied to the Energy Information Administration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Since the beginning of the season, an orange traffic cone has been a constant presence inside the Pirates dugout.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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