1
2
as in to propagate
to cause (something, as a seed) to grow
She began by reading up on the best ways to germinate apple seeds.
Related Words
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 germinate
Like many seeds, peach seeds require a period of cold treatment called stratification to germinate properly.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Like many giants, the tree is a slow grower: its seeds take years to germinate, and its fruits can be a decade in ripening.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
Some locations do not allow wedding bouquets with non-native plants because the seeds could potentially germinate.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Downy mildew fungi germinate and infect leaves with six hours of constant leaf wetness.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Like many giants, the tree is a slow grower: its seeds take years to germinate, and its fruits can be a decade in ripening.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
Some locations do not allow wedding bouquets with non-native plants because the seeds could potentially germinate.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Downy mildew fungi germinate and infect leaves with six hours of constant leaf wetness.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinate
Verb
-
Chioma Nnadi emerges as the obvious choice, currently serving as head of editorial content at British Vogue.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Carson’s research and writing of Silent Spring emerged out of her growing sense that industry and capitalism threatened the experience of wonder.—
Lida Maxwell
July 18,
Literary Hub,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Others say the mushrooms might have propagated from areas of commercial cultivation.—
Amber X. Chen,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
-
The researchers simulated the way airport and military radar signals from New York’s JFK and London’s Heathrow and Gatwick propagate through space.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Marriages end, children’s circumstances change, family businesses evolve, and tax laws shift.—
Patti Brennan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
The former 3-star recruit from Georgia soon evolved into the team’s most dynamic playmaker on defense until a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, the company's Orion Assembly facility, originally slated to become an EV-only plant, will now produce light-duty pickup trucks and SUVs.—
Stuart Dyos,
The Tennessean,
23 July 2025
-
The fleet includes a host of rarities, such as the 10 millionth Ford Mustang produced (built at the Flat Rock Assembly plant) and the 1999 Ford Thunderbird Concept as well as various iterations of the company’s famed GT supercars.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
High winds can cause enough stress that sprouts stop growing.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 July 2025
-
In the 33 years since, growing fossil fuel emissions have continued to warm the planet, threatening ever more homes and lives in Florida, the state already most at risk of climate change.—
Denise Hruby
Updated July 13,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinate. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share