CULTIVATE Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

cultivate

verb

ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt

Definition of cultivate

as in to develop

to come to have gradually cultivated a taste for opera in order to fit in with his new circle of friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of cultivated a passion for learning among his students over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 So Raza is cultivating an increasingly smaller audience of animals. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Clarke said cultivating deep ties within the scene was crucial. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Its leader, Nigel Farage, has cultivated an image of the everyman who makes campaign stops in the pub. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Well, Markiplier has cultivated some unique foundational elements over the years, but as a whole, his method is an example of a new direction in film distribution and marketing. — Justine Bateman, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cultivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cultivate

Verb

Rain will develop across northern and central Minnesota in the morning hours, with coverage remaining spotty.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The project is being developed by a subsidiary of energy and electricity giant NextEra Energy and is slated to come online in late 2028.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

Earlier this year, the diner rolled out the Fiesta Chicken Protein Bowl, promoting the dish's 52 grams of protein.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The key takeaway is that dietary protein and resistance training work together to promote muscle growth and maintain strength.

— Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

The deal amid Utah’s growing push for advanced nuclear power.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
As her anger and resistance grow, her body begins to transform into porcelain, becoming a powerful symbol of her silent rebellion and her fight to reclaim her own identity.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

But the delicious focal point will be a potluck-style neighborhood mango cookoff on the J Street Stage, featuring mangoes harvested from the backyards of 12 area neighborhoods.

— Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
The case was brought by Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade, a coalition of Florida strawberry producers, whose berries are typically harvested during the winter months.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of harvest

Verb

The California Board of Pharmacy in 2025 reversed course on regulations that would have made the supplement more difficult to acquire after pushback from some firefighters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
In his comments, the most substantial since taking on the new role, Rezaei also claimed the US’ attack on Iran had encouraged countries to seek protection by acquiring nuclear weapons.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of acquire

Verb

While the colors blend in with the landscape and may draw your eye outside, the rooms also encourage procrastinating.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Lee told the Queen that her husband’s candidness has encouraged many to feel more comfortable with their own cancer journeys.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Most of the people who sell their plasma tend to be under 35, unemployed, without a college degree, Black and male, according to a 2021 study based on two proprietary national surveys conducted between 2018 and 2021.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
At daybreak, rancher Martín Alfonso Ibarra takes advantage of the cooler hours in northern Mexico’s desert to oversee the milking of his cows and tend to 16 prized calves.

— Fabiola Sánchez, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of tend

Browse Nearby Words

cultists

cultivate

cultivated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cultivate. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cultivate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes