Thesaurus results for DOMESTICATE

domesticate

verb

Definition of domesticate

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

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 domesticate The not-so-obvious irony is that some 20,000 years ago, humans domesticated the wolf as protection from bears and lions. — Steve Searles, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 In a statement published in the Journal of Heredity, Bell suggested that the government should look into the possibility of domesticating manatees. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Study co-author and geologist Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo of the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Spain rules out cooking within Wonderwerk because fire was only opportunistically brought there—it was not domesticated yet. — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 19 June 2026 New genetic data indicates that cats feeding off the abundant rodents plundering human food stores domesticated themselves for similar reasons around 10,000 years ago. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for domesticate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate

Verb

Leaders must cultivate environments that foster these paths, offering meaningful ownership, opportunities for judgment, learning, and mentorship.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Ganni’s success also fueled growing interest in Copenhagen’s fashion scene, helping pave the way for fellow Danish labels like Saks Potts, Stine Goya, Rotate, and Baum und Pferdgarten to cultivate devoted international followings.

— Kelsey Stewart, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Lach said the department trains year-round in rivers, lakes, and lagoons throughout Chicago, and will operate in nearly every weather condition except lightning.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Our instructors and support staff are critical to training future physicians and advancing the health of Connecticut residents.

— Opinion, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of train

Verb

Clay regularly advises organizations on using existential psychology and behavioral science to improve their products, services, and workplace culture.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
The little device that could cause big trouble Federal investigators are looking into mini computer devices commonly used by water utilities and other organizations.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Shawn Vanderhoven is a partner at The Wiseman Group, a thought leadership and consulting firm working with many of the biggest and brightest companies in the S&P and focusing on developing a leader's ability to fully utilize their people’s talent.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
Others utilize programs for hospice care to look after loved ones, or small-business loans to open a new storefront or hire a new employee.

— JD Vance, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

However, excess nitrogen can also cause crepe myrtles to produce lots of leaves and minimal flowers.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Series is created and written by Brennan and executive produced by Murphy, Brennan, Max Winkler, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Louise Shore, Nissa Diederich, Todd Kubrak, Carl Franklin and Tanase Popa.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of produce

Verb

Screen, then securely close rain barrels to help keep mosquitoes from breeding, too.

— Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Google applied for an experimental use permit to inject mosquitoes with a specific strain of the Wolbachia pipientis bacteria, which would prevent them from breeding.

— Kimberly Miller, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of breed

Verb

In its goal of adapting local dishes to the essence of its menu, the team has gone all the way.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Since then, the Scottish Play—as it is often called in the theater world, to ward off bad luck—has been performed and adapted countless times, for stage and screen.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026