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, 1 Nov. 2025
Problem is, pre-emergent herbicides work by killing newly germinating seeds — all seeds.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Fire poppies are rare, germinating only in the presence of karrikins, a chemical compound in smoke, which awakens them from dormancy.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The seeds of a daylong gathering have been germinating for a while.
—Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
So this week, as Mercury reminds you to connect with grace and Venus dares you to simplify your love and money story, know that the real magic is already germinating under the surface.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 14 Sep. 2025
In between times, there are long shots of the gingko, tree’s-eye views of what is happening on the ground and squelching closeups of germinating seeds – luscious and inescapably sensual.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
Problem is, pre-emergent herbicides work by killing newly germinating seeds — all seeds.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Fire poppies are rare, germinating only in the presence of karrikins, a chemical compound in smoke, which awakens them from dormancy.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The seeds of a daylong gathering have been germinating for a while.
—Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
So this week, as Mercury reminds you to connect with grace and Venus dares you to simplify your love and money story, know that the real magic is already germinating under the surface.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 14 Sep. 2025
In between times, there are long shots of the gingko, tree’s-eye views of what is happening on the ground and squelching closeups of germinating seeds – luscious and inescapably sensual.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinating
Verb
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Super Leaders not only embrace emerging technology but leverage it for both their own growth as well as the growth of their team.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The two-day trial of ten people accused of sexist cyberbullying against France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron by propagating fake and malicious claims about her sexuality and gender began in Paris on Monday.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
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The idea of waves propagating through a barrier has been around for a long time, since before the existence of quantum mechanics.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The concept of this whiskey is that while the base of the blend remains the same, release will have a new component added to create a blend that keeps evolving while still based on the same foundation.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
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How these attacks keep evolving Security analysts noticed the malware's delivery chain has shifted several times.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Achane handled 12 first half carries, producing 64 rushing yards.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Idemitsu is constructing a large-scale facility capable of producing 1,000 metric tons of lithium sulfide annually, with a target of mass production by 2027.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In 2020, the emergence of the #BackOffIndia social media campaign reflected a growing impatience among young Nepalis with New Delhi’s overbearing influence and supposed sympathies for the royalist camp within Nepali politics.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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One thing Foshee said he’s observed over the years is diners’ growing preference to sit in shaded locations as opposed to directly under the sun.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Thanks to the work of Joplin Cemetery Maintenance District Commissioner Sara Bell, that meant planting more than twice as many flags as cemetery administrators previously thought.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Nov. 2025
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But, as with most fruit trees, planting another cultivar nearby may increase production.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While ripening, antioxidants give the fruit its red color.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
5 Nov. 2025
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Pruning peppers in fall not only encourages these plants to focus their energy on ripening any remaining fruit before frost arrives but also keeps them at a more manageable size to cover them as needed.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinating. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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