as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops
this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory
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Recent Examples of germ
Bird flu represents a new potential threat in raw milk, which has not been pasteurized, a process that kills germs with high heat.
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Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
Washing raw turkey can also lead to the spread of germs around the kitchen, according to the CDC.
—Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
Along with other cleaning ingredients, chlorine's primary role in cleaning products is disinfecting by killing germs.
—Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
Raw milk is not pasteurized, a process that includes heating to a high temperature to kill harmful germs and viruses.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germ 
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
Washing raw turkey can also lead to the spread of germs around the kitchen, according to the CDC.
—Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
Along with other cleaning ingredients, chlorine's primary role in cleaning products is disinfecting by killing germs.
—Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
Raw milk is not pasteurized, a process that includes heating to a high temperature to kill harmful germs and viruses.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
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Unfortunately, our origin stories don’t tell us how to resolve any particular ethical dispute.Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
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The site was once the Angola Plantations, a slave plantation owned by Isaac Franklin and named after Angola, the country of origin for many of the enslaved people who worked there.Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Bread recommends applying a generous amount of oil from root to tip and leaving on for at least 20 minutes and as long as overnight.Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Dec. 2024
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The roots of his remarkable trajectory can be traced back to 2017, when Subeh first made significant waves in digital marketing while working with hotels in the Caribbean.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Kansas City Chiefs are set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Christmas Day showdown that could lock up the No. 1 seed for the reigning Super Bowl champions.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
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In the new year, The Lord Mayor’s Lounge will offer a brand-new afternoon tea menu, the hotel’s 201st year, featuring feta and tomato on pumpkin seed bread, golden raisin buttermilk scones, citrus macaroons, and so much more.Meredith Lepore, Robb Report, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Directed by James Gunn, the Man of Steel is shown bloodied by a crash landing at the beginning of the trailer before he’s rescued by his super-cute superpup, Krypto.Lisa Respers France, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
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The picture appears to be an excerpt from the video that the Princess of Wales shared at the beginning of September to inform the public about the completion of her chemotherapy and her gradual return to her public duties.Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near germ
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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