CRADLE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

cradle 1 of 2

noun

ˈkrā-dᵊl

Definition of cradle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

cradle

2 of 2

verb

as in to clamp

Related Words

as in to mother

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 cradle

Noun

Does the documentary go through your entire life, cradle to now? — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026 Our top choice, the Harkla Sensory Swing for Kids & Adults, functions as a highly flexible therapeutic cradle to help kids find a comfortable, secure position in no time. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Verb

On the wall, a neon sculpture of blue hands cradling a yellow heart framed by the spiky rays of a blue agave plant (Milagro’s icon) seemed to capture the spirit of the evening. — Sari Kamin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026 Julian loved this on the pricier Humanscale Freedom, which felt like someone was cradling his body. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cradle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cradle

Noun

The film stars revered Indian thespian Naseeruddin Shah as Rashid Ali, a Punjabi Muslim man whose family left before Partition and who returns to his birthplace after a lifetime in England.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
The agreement was signed in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, imbuing it with political and religious symbolism.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of birthplace

Noun

Two Jets front-office sources, on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly, deny that, and Glenn has owned the decisions publicly.

— Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Now, parts and service departments and finance and insurance packages are becoming more important sources of profit for car dealers, as profits from new vehicle sales show signs of softening.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of source

Verb

Simply clamp the Smart Jumper Cables with the mini flashlight directly onto the vehicle battery terminals and let the powerful 29600mWh (8000mAh) 4-cell, high-grade lithium-polymer battery do the work.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Sharon Rocha's mitochondrial DNA clamped in the jaws of a pair of pliers found in [Peterson’s] boat, [and] the presence of concrete debris in the boat cover that matched both the homemade boat anchor and the concrete debris on his flatbed trailer.

— Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of clamp

Verb

The new cub's arrival marks the first time Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has had a lion birth since July 2020, when lioness Abana mothered three cubs.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Virginia Dulles was the opposite of Louanne Bixby—even a hundred children couldn’t exhaust her need to mother them.

— Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of mother

Noun

However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Experts suspect the hackers are from China, but neither Taiwan, nor Dream would confirm the origin of the July attacks.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of origin

Verb

The slot machines also teach us a lot about the power sensory engagement.

— Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Education and parenting expert Karen Aronian, who has taught in both public and private schools in New York, says one purchase parents shouldn’t skimp on is a comfortable pair of shoes.

— Adrienne Farr, Parents, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of teach

Noun

Birds chirp from atop the towering oak trees, and the peacefully running fountains set the tone for a serenity that'll carry through your weekend.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
The Interior Department on Thursday said vandals were responsible for bubbles filling the National World War II Memorial fountain on the National Mall.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of fountain

Browse Nearby Words

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cradle

cradled

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“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cradle. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cradle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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