cradling

[kreyd-l-ing] / ˈkreɪd l ɪŋ /

VERB

hold in arms; nurture

Synonyms

STRONG

lull nestle nourish nurse rock support tend

WEAK

watch over

Antonyms

STRONG

abandon ignore neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Steinfeld flaunted her pregnancy during the awards circuit earlier this year, cradling her baby bump at the red carpet for the Golden Globe Awards.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Roberts, 40, could be seen cradling her baby bump in front of a Christmas tree in a photo gallery shared on Instagram.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

“It’s like I got married ... sorry, Norm,” she said, cradling the statue.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025

Rocki Irish Mayers was born on 13 September, the singer announced in an Instagram post, sharing a snap of her cradling her daughter alongside a picture of miniature pink boxing gloves.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

This peninsula, part of the same geological formation as the Andes Mountains, reaches north from Antarctica like an outstretched arm, cradling the Weddell Sea.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong