1
as in birthplaces
a place of origin
Philadelphia is known as "the cradle of liberty" because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sources
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cradles
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The integrated foam handles and foot cradles offer comfort and versatility.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The integrated foam handles and foot cradles offer comfort and versatility.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradles
Noun
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These disparities could reflect the different evolutionary histories and environmental birthplaces of Ryugu, Bennu, and the parent bodies of the Murchison and Orgeuil samples.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Those who live near their birthplaces can visit the local vital statistics office, but staffing shortages and escalating demand for REAL IDs have caused significant backlogs in some states.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least three rounds were fired, sources said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
So, those considering an annuity should weigh it alongside their broader financial picture, including other assets, income sources and health outlook.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Dust clings to screens, cobwebs build in rafters, pollen films over furniture and grit packs into door tracks.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
The origins of outlaw country music, popular in the 1970s and ‘80s, are largely credited to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, but Coe was a seminal figure in the subgenre.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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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Barrington Elementary For more than a decade, Claudia Lopez joined other Barrington Elementary School mothers to cook a meal of turkey, potato salad, mashed potatoes, cornbread and chocoflan for Thanksgiving.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bake cupcakes until slightly domed, golden, and surface springs back when gently pressed in the center, 18–22 minutes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As the countryside springs to life with an abundance of edible plants, now is a great time to start keeping an eye out for ingredients on your next walk.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kurt's key takeaways The skating is what grabs you first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
This evergreen, perennial vine grabs the attention of those looking for an ornamental groundcover.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cradles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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