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

"It's nerve-racking because it feels like it's out of our hands," says Kerensa Smith, cradling her 10-month-old daughter Ottilie.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

I nodded and swallowed the saliva collecting in my hungry mouth, cradling the warm bowl in my hands, and snuck a large pinch of rice.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani