germinate

verb

Definition of germinatenext
1
as in to emerge
to come into being A new counterculture germinating in the city's art district.

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2
as in to propagate
to cause (something, as a seed) to grow She began by reading up on the best ways to germinate apple seeds.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of germinate The intense, carrion-like odor of the slime attracts insects, which then eat the slime and excrete it, with the spores later germinating in the excrement. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 Use a mist or light shower setting to water new seed regularly to keep the top layer of soil moist until the seeds germinate. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 As soon as the seeds germinate, and the first new growth spotted, give the seedlings a full-sun exposure. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 But the seeds of a forthcoming technology paradigm shift have already begun to germinate. — Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for germinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germinate
  1. emerge
  2. propagate
  3. evolve
  4. produce
  5. grow
Verb
  • Before her brief appearance, Ned and MJ are in a tense standoff with Peter, who just emerged from the multiverse to help save their universe’s Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But whereas weaker seasons have relied on this feeding loop to the point of exhaustion, overemphasizing one side or the other, this time, new challenges keep emerging, giving personality quirks new angles through which to be reflected.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of emerge
Verb
  • The cuttings can be propagated in water until roots form to grow new plants.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
  • However, when discussions are not grounded in evidence, misinformation can be propagated and can do real harm to the general public.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of propagate
Verb
  • People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As with flu vaccines, protection provided by Covid shots is greatest a few weeks after someone gets them, and vaccine formulations are updated each season to best respond to an evolving virus.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of evolve
Verb
  • However, excess nitrogen can also cause crepe myrtles to produce lots of leaves and minimal flowers.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Series is created and written by Brennan and executive produced by Murphy, Brennan, Max Winkler, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Louise Shore, Nissa Diederich, Todd Kubrak, Carl Franklin and Tanase Popa.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of produce
Verb
  • People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of grow

Browse Nearby Words

germinal
germinate
germinated
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Cite this Entry

“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germinate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on germinate

Nglish: Translation of germinate for Spanish Speakers

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