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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As global airlines compete for high-paying passengers, wine is emerging as a new marker of status—less about volume and more about origin, style and association with elite producers.—
Rachel King,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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He is charged in U.S. District Court in Colorado with a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 June 2025
Noun
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According to engineers and robotics experts, the root cause of the malfunction was a combination of software and design oversight.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
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One of the common root causes is that many of us instinctively fill every available surface, from drawers to shelves, and cabinets to closets.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The title will run through Oklahoma City, as the Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, play host to the Indiana Pacers.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
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Starting pitcher Reese Lumpkin allowed just one run in 3 1/3 innings as Miami blasted three home runs to take down the bracket’s No. 1 seed 5-4 and move on to the Supers for the first since 2016 — the same year as their last World Series bid.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The spindly youngster is at the beginning of a journey that will successively turn him into one of the most promising, one of the most unfortunate, one of the most maddening and ultimately one of the most celebrated football players in the world.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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May 29, 2025 The LPGA Tour put in place a new pace of play policy at the beginning of the current season, which seeks to reduce playing times.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Germ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germ. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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