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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.
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Recent Examples of germinate
Your seeds can still germinate but may be delayed if the soil is allowed to dry out.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 Apr. 2026
All of these flowers drop seeds in the garden, which germinate and give way to blooms the following year.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
If fewer than 14 seeds (about 70 percent) germinated, toss them out and purchase new seed.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
In a week or so, any weed seeds still present will germinate.
—Laura Simpson, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 Apr. 2026
All of these flowers drop seeds in the garden, which germinate and give way to blooms the following year.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
If fewer than 14 seeds (about 70 percent) germinated, toss them out and purchase new seed.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
In a week or so, any weed seeds still present will germinate.
—Laura Simpson, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinate
Verb
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Did a more interesting actor than Taylor emerge in the late 1980s and early 1990s?—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
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What emerged as one of the great tandems in NFL history began with Veach in 2004 and 2005 serving as a training camp intern for Reid’s Eagles.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here is a helpful guide on how to propagate basil in soil or water to expand your herb garden.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
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When inhaled, this fungus can propagate in the lungs, potentially causing scarring and collapse of lungs.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Artificial Intelligence has evolved from a theoretical concept to a prevailing element of daily life.—
Kemba Walden,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The findings challenge received wisdom about the role of soft-bodied organisms in marine ecosystems and hint at how large body size and intelligence evolved in the denizens of the ocean realm.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rodriguez measures in at 6 feet 1 3/8, 231 pounds and was a tackling machine for the Red Raiders, the same school which produced current Dolphins All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Hall of Famer Zach Thomas.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Washington, a big, fast, physical back who has produced in the SEC, is near the top of the list.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Researchers have spent decades developing potatoes for chip makers that can grow in all kinds of climates, avoid diseases and pests, sit in storage for months and still deliver a satisfying crunch.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Her unwavering support for the band through covers and generous sound bytes is one of the key reasons why Failure was able to grow its audience in absentia.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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