Definition of farmingnext
as in agriculture
the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock since an ancestor settled there in the 19th century, farming has been the only occupation for six generations of the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

farming

2 of 3

adjective

as in agricultural
engaged in or concerned with agriculture years of drought had a devastating impact on the region's farming communities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

farming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of farm
as in cultivating
to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on we're planning on farming 50 acres the first year

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 farming
Noun
Around a third of methane emitted into the atmosphere comes from natural sources like wetlands, with the rest from anthropogenic sources such as cattle, rice farming, landfills and biomass burning. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Changing weather patterns are pushing some fungi to expand their geographic range, and the overuse of antifungals in medicine, agriculture, and livestock farming has driven them to develop resistance to these drugs. — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Connecticut has also seen a boom in backyard growers popping up in suburban neighborhoods with micro-farming businesses becoming more popular. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026 Some of those people may be professional myrmecologists (scientists who specialize in the study of ants) and fourmiculture (ant-farming) enthusiasts. — IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
First, of course, there’s the business impact — the loss of authorship, credit, and revenue from accounts farming their jokes for clicks and a quick buck. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 This one is designed around a citrus tree, but is used for alfresco entertaining rather than farming. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for farming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for farming
Noun
  • The Field Partner Program began as a pilot in 2025 and is scaling with the 2026 crop, helping brands support regenerative agriculture goals with confidence.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Invasive golden mussels continue to spread through California waterways, increasing concerns about damage to water infrastructure, threats to agriculture and rising costs for boaters and communities.
    — Nina Burns, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Waiving tariffs on some Canadian agricultural products could presage similar efforts in Michigan and New Hampshire, where Republican candidates facing uphill election fights have spoken out against tariffs on Canada.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The increase comes as golden mussels continue to spread through California’s interconnected waterways, threatening drinking water supplies, agricultural infrastructure and recreational boating access.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The married owners—Ingrid Rivas, an agronomist, and Radamés Arroyo, an engineer—first began developing the 25-acre property by cultivating Tahiti limes, and the name Hacienda Verde Tahití later became a tribute to those agricultural beginnings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The decision to launch the movie in moderate release — rather than limited in just a handful of venues or nationwide on more than 2,000 screens — proved wise because the studio was able to bolster awareness while cultivating a sense of scarcity.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Thomas Jefferson, himself an agrarian populist, has been especially caught up in the crossfire.
    — Jackson Lears, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The digital revolution rocked the analog world of art, media and communication on a scale the industrial revolution did to agrarian and handicraft economies more than a century ago.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The volunteers, Israelis and Americans, had come to stand alongside Palestinian farmers harvesting olives with the goal of preventing attacks by Israeli settlers.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Photograph by Faiz Abu Rmeleh / Getty On Friday, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers who were harvesting olives in the West Bank.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • People want a space that resets the nervous system without a plane ticket or an app subscription, and planting for the five senses turns an ordinary yard into a wellness retreat.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of planting for curb appeal alone, homeowners are layering in rustling grasses, fragrant herbs, water features and wildlife habitats so the space actively regulates mood and stress.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Farming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/farming. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster