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 PhoneSoap Basic kills up to 99% of germs in 10-minute sessions. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Turn up the heat only when grease, germs or heavy soil give you a specific reason. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026 If hot water will cause damage, use a laundry sanitizer in a cold or warm water cycle to eliminate germs and bacteria. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 Scratching a mosquito bite can also break the skin barrier, allowing germs to enter the body more easily and increasing the risk of disease, Kumar notes. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Sep. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germs
  1. origins
  2. roots
  3. seed
  4. beginnings
Noun
  • The conflict over Sabbath services in Charleston is widely regarded, although somewhat controversially, as the origins of Reform Judaism in the United States.
    — Ashley Walters, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, the event highlighted how sharing patients’ health records with federal researchers could benefit the study of the origins of chronic diseases.
    — Brittany Trang, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of origins
Noun
  • The clothing brand, known for its buttery soft denim pants, started in 2002 with the aim to combine British roots with the energy of New York City’s fashion with a modern twist.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The arrival of Alma, a real estate developer from Madrid who settles in Gazulea with her two daughters, disrupts the community’s life and sparks a conflict between the town’s future and the preservation of its roots.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of roots
Noun
  • The chain also has a page on its website dedicated to its transition away from seed oils and its efforts to provide more natural ingredients.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Corteva spun out its seed business into Vylor, with the aim of prioritizing its agricultural chemical business.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of seed
Noun
  • The work this time comes from having not only more time to make it but also a different environment altogether, spurred in part by the pandemic, which afforded Mastrangelo a moment to pause and reflect on his beginnings as a designer.
    — Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The joint, which makes AI tools developed by and intended for filmmakers from essentially open source beginnings, saw its staff of less than 20 absorbed into the streamer and Affleck on board as an advisor.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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