germs

noun

plural of germ
as in origins
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

Relevance

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 germs PhoneSoap Basic kills up to 99% of germs in 10-minute sessions. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Turn up the heat only when grease, germs or heavy soil give you a specific reason. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026 If hot water will cause damage, use a laundry sanitizer in a cold or warm water cycle to eliminate germs and bacteria. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 Scratching a mosquito bite can also break the skin barrier, allowing germs to enter the body more easily and increasing the risk of disease, Kumar notes. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Their wavelike motion helps move around germs, mucus, dust, and other irritants so the body can dispel them via coughing or sneezing. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026 Regular washing removes allergens, germs, and buildup from skin, dust, and pet hair. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026 What separates countries is not the germs themselves but the resources available to tackle them, Deng added. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 In August 2025, Health and Human Services also scaled down the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, which tracks food poisoning cases, slashing mandatory surveillance of six major germs, including cyclospora. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for germs
  1. origins
  2. roots
  3. seed
  4. beginnings
Noun
  • Life’s one-handedness puzzle The duo’s research has both given chemists fundamental new tools that are widely used in their daily work and awakened interest in the chemistry of life’s origins, the committee said.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • By then, the meme had already become a viral format, and users cared little about its AI origins.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of origins
Noun
  • Vest’s campus roots Ma, 25, became interested in crypto derivatives while studying finance and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, plenty of scalp serums are available, too (great hair starts at the roots, of course).
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of roots
Noun
  • The chain also has a page on its website dedicated to its transition away from seed oils and its efforts to provide more natural ingredients.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Corteva spun out its seed business into Vylor, with the aim of prioritizing its agricultural chemical business.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of seed
Noun
  • The work this time comes from having not only more time to make it but also a different environment altogether, spurred in part by the pandemic, which afforded Mastrangelo a moment to pause and reflect on his beginnings as a designer.
    — Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The joint, which makes AI tools developed by and intended for filmmakers from essentially open source beginnings, saw its staff of less than 20 absorbed into the streamer and Affleck on board as an advisor.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginnings

Browse Nearby Words

germproof
germs
germy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Germs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germs. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All