Definition of cultivatenext
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3
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care in an attempt to produce New World counterparts of the wines that he had enjoyed in Europe, Jefferson cultivated several varieties of grapes at Monticello

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to harvest
to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on we ought to cultivate the field out back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cultivate After cultivating the spores, the researchers then combined them with shredded polyurethane foam harvested from old mattresses. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026 According to Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery, February is the perfect time to start cultivating seeds indoors. Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026 The Sefer HaChinuch explains that these commandments are meant to cultivate rachamim (compassion) by training the heart through action. Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026 For most people, action, cultivating a sense of agency, beats seething. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cultivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cultivate
Verb
  • The model successfully reproduced multiple cycles seen during the satellite era, including the gradual shift of sunspots from higher latitudes toward the solar equator—a key indicator of how a cycle develops.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Specifically, kids this age are developing key emotional regulation skills, such as tolerating disappointment, embarrassment, as well as frustration and anger.
    Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • LinkedIn data reveals that employees who combine hard and soft skills get promoted about 8% faster than those who focus only on technical abilities, and skills like communication, teamwork and problem solving are linked to promotions up to 11% faster.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The project was planned to clear the area of outdated and dilapidated buildings, to attract new businesses and promote economic revitalization.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His relationship with his Jewish neighbors, the Brodskys, grows closer as Nazi power corrupts France.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As the fungi grew, their root-like structures, called mycelium, acted as a natural biological glue.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • She's harvested them and posted YouTube videos about how to cook them.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Eggplant Just like tomatoes and peppers, this member of the nightshade family also needs a long growing season, around 100 days from starting the seeds to harvest, though there are some early varieties, too.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Diller had expressed interest in acquiring CNN from Warner last year but was rebuffed.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Andrei Kuzmenko, who the Kings acquired from the Flyers at last season’s trade deadline, appeared to score a goal that would have extended the Los Angeles lead to 3-0 in the first period, but the Flyers challenged that the play was offside, and after review the goal came off the board.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Warned about assignments, encouraged to job hunt This story is based on interviews with 10 current and former Post staffers drawn from both the newsroom and the business side of the paper.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Matt Damon, the star of many movies that college students may not have seen, said that Netflix has started encouraging filmmakers to put action sequences in the first five minutes of a film to get viewers hooked.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Our show is produced by Chris McLeod of Blue Elevator Productions and Josh Billinson of Semafor Media.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The only viable explanation is that an even higher-energy particle — a more stable one — must have struck the upper atmosphere of the Earth and produced a particle shower, where those decaying particles led to the presence of these muons.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Couples dance on the grass while chefs across the park tend bubbling pots of jambalaya and gumbo.
    Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Alonso, Tuma, and Muñozcano—despite all being men—showed a feminist approach to the care of our group during in-person sessions, literally feeding us and tending to our needs.
    Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cultivate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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