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
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Scientists additionally found at least three planes aboard the ship, including a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber with a bomb still secured in the release cradle.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Julian had a blast cradling the cooing birds and imitating the chant-like calls of the pigeon handlers, flapping his arms with glee as their flocks took flight and landed on command.
—Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Noun
Yet even in this cradle of endemic life, one region stands apart, both for its diversity and its age.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Scientists additionally found at least three planes aboard the ship, including a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber with a bomb still secured in the release cradle.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
But Kate does not have what Joe has: video footage of Maddie cradling her sister’s corpse in the human aquarium.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Julian had a blast cradling the cooing birds and imitating the chant-like calls of the pigeon handlers, flapping his arms with glee as their flocks took flight and landed on command.
—Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
Noun
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This vibrant event, a modern echo of ancient gatherings, powerfully announced a bold ambition: this historic city is not just a birthplace of civilization, democracy and innovation, but a rising force aiming to be Europe's next major startup hub.—
Timothy Papandreou,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
Molson Coors has operated its Fort Worth brewery at 7001 South Freeway, the birthplace of Miller Lite, since 1969.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Charlie Davis Season: 46 Placed: 2nd If Q was the hurricane blowing through Survivor 46, Davis was a source of calm geniality at the center, constantly quoting Taylor Swift songs while obscuring his careful, clever gameplay.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
29 May 2025
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In addition, with Serge Gnabry a year away from being a free agent, Leroy Sane’s contract renewal increasingly tenuous, and Kingsley Coman another likely departure, the wide forwards positions — which have so often been a source of such power — need regenerating.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Fire firmly stayed clamped to Johnson’s arm, and did not let go until given a release command.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Stimson worked quickly, cutting across the tissue of the thigh and clamping bleeding vessels along the way.—
Catherine Musemeche,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Dana is really mothering to her fullest at the top of the hour.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Beginning with Ethel Cain, mothers will be mothering all throughout the year.—
James Factora,
Them,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Michelle Williams is a solid second, receiving some keen support from the panel, but Milioti’s rising crime boss with a brutal origin story has stolen the BuzzMeter’s heart.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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For many New Yorkers of Mexican origin, seeing the Cuauhtémoc sail into our harbor was a proud and emotional moment.—
Eric Adams,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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South Sudan, where these latest deportations reportedly occurred, remains gripped by conflict and instability.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
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Picture this: the roaming hills of a pastoral land or the grandeur of an enormous palace gripping the attention of an audience.—
Sara Smith,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The iconic watchmaker Swatch opened May 2 in a 830-square-foot space at the mall’s fountain court, according to the company.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
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Lasers and fountains danced in the background in time to the music as Yas Island’s biggest-ever fireworks display erupted overhead alongside drones.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Fence bears out With snow still clinging to mountainsides and bears still asleep, some 30 people have shown up in a converted Fernie railway station to discuss grizzly bear coexistence.—
Lesley Evans Ogden,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Listen to this article The Queens single mom clinging to life after being savagely beaten and robbed of her e-bike on Randalls Island was left unconscious on the ground for nearly six hours before she was discovered by a passerby the next morning, the Daily News has learned.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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