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
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Unlike squeaky inflatable neck pillows, this plush version is made up of supportive memory foam that cradles your neck, shoulders, and chin for ultimate comfort.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The installation consists of a cradle to hold a cell phone in a specific position, and signage with a QR code for uploading the photographs to the database.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Noun
Nicola, played like a taut violin string by Embeth Davidtz (who also directed and adapted this story from Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name), sleeps cradling an assault rifle.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Unlike squeaky inflatable neck pillows, this plush version is made up of supportive memory foam that cradles your neck, shoulders, and chin for ultimate comfort.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Verb
By using data from the heel strike as the building block, Lululemon shoes then created a distinct heel cradle, designed to soften the impact.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The installation consists of a cradle to hold a cell phone in a specific position, and signage with a QR code for uploading the photographs to the database.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle
Noun
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Its culinary impact is just as notable: The metro Detroit region is the birthplace of multinational chains, such as Domino’s, Little Caesars, and Jet’s Pizza, which have brought Detroit into the global pizza lexicon.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
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The castle is known as the possible birthplace of Robert the Bruce, who became the King of Scotland.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
27 July 2025
Noun
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The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
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One anonymous source donated 40 units, but since then, White said, there have been few, if any, such offerings.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The recumbent chair and whining drill, the blinding lights and masked faces overhead, the needle, the spit basin, and the X-ray film clamped between your teeth—every detail seems designed to inflame our fears.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
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Others are designed to mount to the side of your hamster’s cage, clamping the bars.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Moo Deng was born on July 10, 2024, to mother Jona and father Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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Lupita Nyong'o stars as Roz, a service robot who washes up on a small island with no human inhabitants and must figure out how to adapt her programming to the wilderness while mothering a baby goose.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Ward recalled the origin story of when the DCC head, Kelli Finglass, realized that an updo would be best for her during games.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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The origin story behind the ice cream sundae comes swirled with mystery, history, as well as chocolate and even a cherry on top.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Businesses have held back on adding new workers in large part because they’ve been gripped by uncertainty about where tariffs might ultimately settle in President Donald Trump’s volatile trade war.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
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Not since Captain Phillips have I been so gripped by this kind of maritime warfare, all of which reaches its climax when Kiki starts handing out water guns.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
31 July 2025
Noun
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The 63-acre park borders the Indian River Lagoon and has a beach, interactive play fountain, 780-foot fishing pier, landscaped gardens, open grass fields, and more.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
28 July 2025
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There are also several spots ideal for alfresco lounging and entertaining amid a stone fireplace, a tiered fountain, and a reflecting pool.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 July 2025
Verb
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There was an old spiderweb still clinging to the railing by her front door.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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And the old White people clinging to their NPR and PBS know it.—
Michael Graham,
Boston Herald,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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