as in to cultivate
to change (a wild animal or plant) over time to make it more suited to life with or use by humans
Humans domesticated wolves to produce man's best friend.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of domesticate
During this time, mammoths were still grazing the northern steppes and sheep would not be domesticated for another 5,000 years or so.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
According to a 2017 study of El Gigante, maize was domesticated in Honduras 4,300 years ago.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
However, by this time, humans had discovered the joys of eating avocados and in doing so, likely saved them from extinction by cultivating and domesticating them as a food source.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Research suggests that even after being domesticated, cats continued to hunt, often targeting rodents that fed on human food supplies.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
According to a 2017 study of El Gigante, maize was domesticated in Honduras 4,300 years ago.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
However, by this time, humans had discovered the joys of eating avocados and in doing so, likely saved them from extinction by cultivating and domesticating them as a food source.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Research suggests that even after being domesticated, cats continued to hunt, often targeting rodents that fed on human food supplies.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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Of the traits the Bills are likely looking for, those are the more difficult to cultivate at the NFL level.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Keep coming back to your long-term vision, and cultivate this mindset among all employees, regardless of their role.—
Alexandre Bonvin,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But that commitment is geared toward building server facilities to support Apple Intelligence, the company’s artificial intelligence service, and an academy to train businesses on manufacturing techniques, instead of iPhone production.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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For professional bodybuilders, especially, this ability to train at high intensity without the risk of injury is essential.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Researchers are also investigating whether coral fragments can be propagated in labs and replanted to restore reefs.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2025
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Add to that the fact that the majority of Japanese maples in America are propagated and grown in the Pacific Northwest.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mangione handed arriving officers a fake New Jersey ID that was used at the New York City hostel days earlier and was subsequently arrested.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Bear with me because there's a great deal of nuance here that is easy to miss among today's more impassioned reactions to people using AI as a blunt instrument of creating mediocrity.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Green is a versatile player out of Marshall, and Gannon could utilize his speed and power to disrupt the pocket. 17.—
Fox News Staff,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The secret is that Costco utilizes only roasted almonds to yield a rich, somewhat sweet spread without any additives, including salt, sugar, or oils.—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Notable Figures: During the quarter, the company's equity income in China produced a $45 million profit, compared to a loss of $106 million last year at this time.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Meanwhile, Guy Picciotto has produced albums for Blonde Redhead, the Blood Brothers, Gossip, and many others.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The mosquitoes can breed in standing water, so public health officials are asking that county residents allow vector control technicians to provide free inspections and advice, Nolasco said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Tree Hollows Tree hollows can collect rainwater and provide the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What’s more, over the past decade, attacks such as password spraying have grown increasingly effective at breaching sensitive networks, Microsoft’s own included.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the demographic of older women is growing quickly.—
Jean Wactawski-Wende,
The Conversation,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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