tame

verb

tamed; taming
Synonyms of tamenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to reduce from a wild to a domestic state
b
: to subject to cultivation
c
: to bring under control : harness
2
: to deprive of spirit : humble, subdue
… the once revolutionary … party, long since tamedThe Times Literary Supplement (London)
3
: to tone down : soften
tamed the language in the play

intransitive verb

: to become tame
tamable adjective
or tameable
tamer noun

Examples of tame in a Sentence

It took a while to tame the horse. the people who tamed the Wild West He struggled to tame his temper. The government needs to do something to tame inflation.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
It’s backed by more than 56,000 five-star reviews and several Southern Living editors due to its innovative design that tames frizz, adds volume and shine, and reduces breakage all while effectively drying and styling your luscious locks. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 2 June 2026 The Sooners led 10-8 after four innings and then tamed the mighty Yellow Jackets’ bats. Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 1 June 2026 Been there as communities have tried to tame the mighty waters with levees and embankments, and battled 100-pound invasive fish. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 31 May 2026 Tied down until 2031, Gordon had to wait eight hours for his unveiling, with Barça giving members of the press that had been there since midday at the Joan Gamper CT headquarters burgers and fries to tame their hunger. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tame

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tame was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tame. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tame

1 of 2 adjective
tamer; tamest
1
: changed from the wild state so as to become useful and obedient to human beings : domesticated
a tame elephant
2
: made gentle and obedient
3
: lacking spirit or interest : dull
tamely adverb
tameness noun

tame

2 of 2 verb
tamed; taming
1
a
: to make or become tame
tame a lion
b
: to subject to cultivation
wilderness tamed by farmers
2
: to bring under control : subdue
tame your temper
tamer noun

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