1
as in birthplace
a place of origin
Philadelphia is known as "the cradle of liberty" because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed
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2
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls, New York, is often regarded as the cradle of the women's suffrage movement
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1
2
as in to mother
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cradle
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
This is all part of Bernard’s larger plan to whip up public anger against Mechanical, thus strangling the Down Deep rebellion in its cradle.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Shania Russell, EW.com, 1 Jan. 2025
The post featured a photo of Blanchard in a hospital bed cradling a baby, with Urker leaning in.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cradle 
Noun
It is known for being the cradle of several advanced pre-Hispanic (or pre-Columbian) civilizations.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
This is all part of Bernard’s larger plan to whip up public anger against Mechanical, thus strangling the Down Deep rebellion in its cradle.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
The photo sees Blanchard in a hospital bed, cradling the newborn with Urker.
TMZ reports that Blanchard gave birth on Dec. 28, the one-year anniversary of her early release from prison, after serving roughly eight years of her 10-year sentence.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 1 Jan. 2025
The post featured a photo of Blanchard in a hospital bed cradling a baby, with Urker leaning in.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
Noun
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Perfect justice is illusory because our parents or birthplace are serendipitous.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2025
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Liverpool This English maritime city is usually known as the Beatles' birthplace, but also offers a dopamine boost for travelers.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Despite the loss, Washington's journey to this stage provided a source of excitement and pride to their supporters.—
Lydia Mee,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa.—
Alice Catherine Hughes,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His lips, typically clamped in a rigid line, curled into a smile.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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In our lab, two testers clamped opposite ends and pulled as far as possible, then checked if the tights returned to their original shape after releasing.—
L.A. Hubilla,
People.com,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Staff Picks: Our 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2025 Beginning with Ethel Cain, mothers will be mothering all throughout the year.—
James Factora,
Them,
16 Jan. 2025
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Officials estimate that Wisdom has produced 50 to 60 eggs in her lifetime and has mothered as many as 30 chicks.—
Gabriella Rudy,
NBC News,
6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The movement bears the prestigious Geneva Seal, a certification that guarantees not only the movement's Geneva origin but also its superior chronometry and finishing.—
Bhanu Chopra,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Understanding the history and origin of these laws is critical to that effort.—
Peter L. Markowitz,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Image Neither declines in border crossings or fentanyl overdoses could much make a difference if Mr. Trump chooses to focus on the cartel bloodshed gripping large parts of Mexico as justification for imposing tariffs on its exports.—
Simon Romero,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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With a frigid polar vortex set to grip huge swaths of the U.S. in the coming days, the city could see anywhere between 3 and 5 inches of snow before the quick-moving but significant storm breaks up in the early hours of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Photo : Simon Berlyn Two chairs are situated on either side of a serene fountain.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2025
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Save your frustration and your fountain of knowledge for those few times when righteous anger is warranted or an explanation is solicited.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Deputies and firefighters called to Cattail Crossing Pond found a 63-year-old woman clinging to a chunk of ice in the freezing water at about 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
23 Jan. 2025
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Cave moths clung to the walls, their tiny eyes glittering in my lamp’s beam.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cradle
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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