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germs

noun

plural of germ
as in origins
the source from which something grows or develops this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 germs Their wavelike motion helps move around germs, mucus, dust, and other irritants so the body can dispel them via coughing or sneezing. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026 Regular washing removes allergens, germs, and buildup from skin, dust, and pet hair. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026 What separates countries is not the germs themselves but the resources available to tackle them, Deng added. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 From accidental spills to germs on packaging containers, a lot of unwanted food particles linger on fridge shelves. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026 In August 2025, Health and Human Services also scaled down the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, which tracks food poisoning cases, slashing mandatory surveillance of six major germs, including cyclospora. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026 Key Takeaways Clean your bathroom weekly to prevent germs and make the process more manageable. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026 Wastewater tracking is the testing of community sewage for viruses and other germs to help health officials monitor disease spread and trends, often before cases show up in clinical testing data. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Xenex LightStrike Infections acquired inside hospitals remain a serious problem, especially when harmful germs survive on surfaces after a patient leaves a room. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germs
  1. origins
  2. roots
  3. seed
  4. beginnings
Noun
  • Over the past decade, ctenophores have helped answer long-standing questions about fundamental biology, from how early nervous systems evolved to the origins of the mesmerizing phenomenon of bioluminescence.
    — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Today, Paramount+’s prequel series Star Trek; Strange New Worlds has revived two of Majel’s roles, expanding both Chapel and Number One well beyond the social and cultural restraints of their mid-’60s origins.
    — Scott Huver, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of origins
Noun
  • Legion targets contested airspace The system’s roots stretch back to Lockheed Martin’s earlier IRST work.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The oldest company on the list, brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev, traces its roots back 660 years to the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of roots
Noun
  • Scientists evaluated ingredients like purple beet juice, paprika and annatto, a natural seed extract from the achiote tree that grows in tropical regions of the Americas.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The seed may have been employed as a painkiller or as a social and cultural practice still influencing its modern use.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of seed
Noun
  • Great things grow from humble beginnings, which is how Goldburger went from a pop-up in 2018 to an LA staple with multiple locations in just a few years.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In non-linear lyric forms, the following collections braid love’s ruthless endings with its tenderest beginnings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginnings

Browse Nearby Words

germproof
germs
germy
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Cite this Entry

“Germs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germs. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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