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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to mother
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cradle
David Szondy
april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
The fiber, partially derived from dent corn, is designed to maintain the performance of conventional spandex while delivering up to a 32 percent reduction in carbon emissions, according to a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Cushion Valuables When Moving There's nothing better to cradle your breakable goods when moving or packing items for storage than a pillow.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Noun
During the recent demonstration test, the Bird of Prey took off from a launch cradle, and once in the air was able to autonomously search for, detect, and classify a target drone standing in for a hostile.
—David Szondy
april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
The fiber, partially derived from dent corn, is designed to maintain the performance of conventional spandex while delivering up to a 32 percent reduction in carbon emissions, according to a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Now a new generation can cradle their own.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Cushion Valuables When Moving There's nothing better to cradle your breakable goods when moving or packing items for storage than a pillow.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
Noun
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Corsica is often relegated to a cruise stop, particularly in Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace of Ajaccio on the western coast.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Although China has a strong claim, many tend to cite ancient Greece as the birthplace of history as a discipline.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bo Erickson | Reuters A source who was attending the event, and was briefed by Secret Service after the shooting, told CNBC’s Eamon Javers that a man with a shotgun had approached metal detectors and was shot by Secret Service agents.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Apr. 2026
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David Rubenstein, principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, was also among the guests, sources told Candy Woodall of Spotlight on Maryland.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By clamping the bag shut, the clips help keep air and moisture out, which slows staleness and helps food stay fresh longer.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Suspend trailing pothos or ferns from hooks that clamp onto an overhang, or use tension rods to create a floating curtain of greenery.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some parents − overwhelmingly mothers − are stepping back from full-time work or leaving the workforce altogether to accommodate the needs of their family.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Perhaps pasta or pizza with cheese is so comforting because we’re literally being mothered by flowering plants and bovines?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Its exact origins are unknown, but it was most likely discovered in South India in the 13th century.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
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Using animations of Eddie and talking-head interviews with famous fans including Javier Bardem, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Chuck D, and the Cure’s Simon Gallup, among others, the doc traces the group’s East London origins, galvanizing a loyal fanbase that now sees them in arenas and stadiums.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jerry told me then that his hands could no longer grip the canoe.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The life of a music director at a major opera company is inevitably one engaged in tragedy, and Conlon exhibits the dramatic flair to grip its emotional immensity.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Refreshers are also priced higher than fountain drinks and are more profitable compared to food offerings, especially as protein prices rise.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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Michelle said medical professionals at the hospital told her that Juan drowned after his leg got caught in the lake's fountain, trapping him under the water.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chudzinski’s most stressful situation came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Warriors clinging to a 3-2 lead.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The large-scale return of the supposedly canceled can’t be blamed on collective amnesia, or even a public that clings to plausible deniability.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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