as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops
this hastily scribbled equation on a cocktail napkin became the germ of a new scientific theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of germ
Wash your hands before touching any area of your face to avoid spreading germs through your eyes and mouth.
—
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
The bacterial infection, also known as TB, spreads by breathing in the germs of an infected person.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
Environmental health personnel, on the other hand, deal with threats in the environment, whether that’s E. coli in restaurant food, germs in public swimming pools or extreme heat.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
The sanitizing case protects your toothbrush from picking up germs in your toiletry bag or the airplane sink.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
The bacterial infection, also known as TB, spreads by breathing in the germs of an infected person.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
Environmental health personnel, on the other hand, deal with threats in the environment, whether that’s E. coli in restaurant food, germs in public swimming pools or extreme heat.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
The sanitizing case protects your toothbrush from picking up germs in your toiletry bag or the airplane sink.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germ
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germ
Noun
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Michelle Williams is a solid second, receiving some keen support from the panel, but Milioti’s rising crime boss with a brutal origin story has stolen the BuzzMeter’s heart.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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For many New Yorkers of Mexican origin, seeing the Cuauhtémoc sail into our harbor was a proud and emotional moment.—
Eric Adams,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Its comprehensive survey from the roots to the legacy of slavery serves to promote healing.—
Elaine Glusac,
AFAR Media,
21 May 2025
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The rugged limestone walls reached to a ceiling with natural skylights, from which aerial roots of ficus trees hung like decorative drapery.—
Erik Trinidad,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2025
Noun
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These harmful actions by police would be embracing cruelty and sowing seeds of distrust between local communities and law enforcement.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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The old flowers give way to long, thin seed pods that ripen and pop open for easy seed saving or reseeding in warmer zones.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
Noun
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At the beginning of the 2022—2023 school year, Luis Hinojosa was appointed as the principal of Pitcher Elementary School, according to court documents.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
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But at the beginning of Jonathan Tropper’s Your Friends and Neighbors, he’s fired from his job and divorced from his wife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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