1
as in emerging
to come into being
A new counterculture germinating in the city's art district.
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2
as in propagating
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of germinating
Keep the soil surface moist when germinating seeds, but reduce watering after parsley sprouts and grows a few leaves.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Apply a crabgrass preventer around midmonth to stop weedy grasses from germinating.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
And outdoor soil often contains weed seeds and disease pathogens that interfere with seeds germinating and sprouting.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The set includes a tray with four removable cups for planting; place the large, clear glass dome over your germinating seeds to keep them warm and moist.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Fresh papaya seeds are covered with a slimy coating that prevents them from germinating inside the fruit.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a layer in the lawn or landscape environment that stops weeds from germinating.
—Larry Figart, Florida Times-Union, 10 Jan. 2026
That was a surprisingly fertile base for germinating Kiri.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 20 Dec. 2025
In magnolias, the bright red/orange fleshy coating can keep those seeds from germinating for several years, until weathering breaks down and/or weathers away those compounds.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Apply a crabgrass preventer around midmonth to stop weedy grasses from germinating.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
And outdoor soil often contains weed seeds and disease pathogens that interfere with seeds germinating and sprouting.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The set includes a tray with four removable cups for planting; place the large, clear glass dome over your germinating seeds to keep them warm and moist.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Fresh papaya seeds are covered with a slimy coating that prevents them from germinating inside the fruit.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a layer in the lawn or landscape environment that stops weeds from germinating.
—Larry Figart, Florida Times-Union, 10 Jan. 2026
That was a surprisingly fertile base for germinating Kiri.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 20 Dec. 2025
In magnolias, the bright red/orange fleshy coating can keep those seeds from germinating for several years, until weathering breaks down and/or weathers away those compounds.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinating
Verb
-
While industry prizes are known for offering emerging labels a path to scale, Gassanoff’s mission is not to grow the next major luxury house, with hundreds of stores.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The 1992 campaign that represented the emerging preeminence of the Baby Boom generation was the same one dogged by rumors of an affair with Gennifer Flowers.—
STEVEN SLOAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The same goes for propagating cactus pups and leaf or stem cuttings.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
-
With its light texture, perlite mixed with water makes an excellent medium for propagating stem cuttings and leaf cuttings.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The drills are largely computer-simulated and designed to test the allies’ joint operational capabilities while incorporating evolving war scenarios and security challenges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Director Phelim McDermott, co-founder of Improbable, said beginning a new chapter with fresh company members felt both exciting and moving after a year of the show evolving in the West End.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Carrick ignored it, deciding not to change a formula up front that has ended up producing five wins and a draw from his first six matches back in the dugout.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Even if some kilns had continued producing ceramics, the Yuan Dynasty fell in 1368 and the first Ming emperor banned commercial trade around 1371, so even conservative estimates for dating the shipwreck still fall between the late 1320s and 1371, according to the study.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beijing has balked at any restrictions on its smaller but growing nuclear arsenal and denies carrying out such a nuclear test.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
For some lower- and middle-income Americans, however, the finances just seem to get tighter, and burdens are growing.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Start planting seeds after the last frost on a staggered schedule, and enjoy the cheery flowers all summer long.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
As Dallas-Fort Worth becomes more of a draw for domestic and international companies, Taiwan is planting its flag in the ground by actively recruiting for talent in the area.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Under some circumstances, 1-MCP can halt ripening altogether.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Avoid placing the bulbs near fruit, as ripening fruit can accelerate sprouting.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Germinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinating. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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