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
Crabgrass first appears in the spring, but new plants keep germinating throughout the summer, says Waltz.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Just avoid overlap with pre-emergent herbicides, which prevent all seeds (including grass) from germinating.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
Quinoa thrives in cool temperatures, germinating when soil temperatures are between 36°F and 68°F.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
These structures are envelopes of starch that shift and settle at the bottom of plant cells, helping the organisms to detect changes in their position and stability—and to tell germinating seeds in which direction to grow their roots.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Keep in mind, though, that the timing must be right; some seeds require cold stratification before germinating.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026
This is important to keep weed seeds from germinating.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Don’t trample or pick the flowers and stay on the paths because even barren ground could have seeds germinating beneath.
—Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Just avoid overlap with pre-emergent herbicides, which prevent all seeds (including grass) from germinating.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 27 Apr. 2026
Quinoa thrives in cool temperatures, germinating when soil temperatures are between 36°F and 68°F.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
These structures are envelopes of starch that shift and settle at the bottom of plant cells, helping the organisms to detect changes in their position and stability—and to tell germinating seeds in which direction to grow their roots.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Keep in mind, though, that the timing must be right; some seeds require cold stratification before germinating.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026
This is important to keep weed seeds from germinating.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Don’t trample or pick the flowers and stay on the paths because even barren ground could have seeds germinating beneath.
—Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinating
Verb
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But as demand for resale grows and there are more ways to buy secondhand, a familiar, troubling behavioral pattern is emerging.—
Emily Zak,
Vogue,
4 June 2026
-
Lyman, along with Eric Tobin of Hopeless Records and Mike Kaminsky of KMGMT, who also teaches at USC, got together to create the Summer School tour, a traveling group of emerging pop-punk and indie acts, to try to fill the void left after Warped Tour temporarily hung up its cape in 2019.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Because the cracks were propagating underneath.—
Dan Mangan,Emma Graham,Hugh Leask,Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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The team used advanced 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations to recreate the process, revealing that shockwaves propagating through giant molecular clouds can naturally generate the striking wheel-like architecture seen in some of the galaxy's most active stellar nurseries, according to the study.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
For Wharry, those ideas reflect the unfinished and evolving nature of the space.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
-
As scientists continue analyzing the evolving CME situation, all eyes remain on region 4455, which still has the potential to unleash further strong solar flares in the coming days.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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When a crop such as lettuce is done producing, it is cut at ground level so the roots stay in the ground, helping feed soil microbes.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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Djokovic held a 2-0 set lead, but the 19-year-old Brazilian bounced back to win the next three sets – producing the stunning victory against the Serbian superstar.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The same crowd booed when council members mentioned the growing popularity of artificial intelligence.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Japan has long been battling a growing bear problem with deadly attacks reached record levels last fall.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Ensure that your young peach tree is at least 12 to 18 inches tall before planting it outside.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
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Just be sure to avoid planting the spurge-laurel variety, which is an invasive plant.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Verb
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An overripe berry can accelerate ripening in the fruit it is being stored with.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
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How Microwaving Affects the Avocado The microwave method is considered an emergency softening shortcut, not a true ripening technique.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Germinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinating. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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