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 Believed to have been domesticated thousands of years ago in parts of Africa and India, sesame is now grown throughout many warm regions of the world, including India, Sudan, Myanmar, China and several countries across the Middle East. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 When the show moved to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway, the directors — Zhailon Levingston and PAC’s artistic head, Bill Rauch — were forced to domesticate that communal energy for a traditional proscenium arch. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026 This is because sandboxes can become infected with fecal microbes and parasites from wild and domesticated animals—including millions of free-roaming cats. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for domesticate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate

Verb

To lead a child to a gas chamber demands a hardness of heart that must be cultivated.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Signings, trades and draft picks cultivate hope and speculation.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Scientists analyze mutations in a patient’s tumor and create a personalized therapy designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer.

— Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) brought MHFA to Palm Beach County in 2014 and has since trained thousands of community members (at no cost) to be that first line of support.

— Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of train

Verb

The vote is taking place amid a backdrop of creeping social tensions in Russia, as the Kremlin continues to propagate a war in Ukraine – now in its fifth year.

— Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
These popular indoor plants are super easy to propagate into more greenery for your home.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of propagate

Verb

Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Since 2018, the club has utilized SeatGeek for its ticketing operations, hospitality and concerts at both the Etihad Stadium and Joie Stadium.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

Chewing the drug produces a euphoric effect because of a psychoactive ingredient called arecoline, and millions of people are still betel users today.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Edwards produced 89 of them, while Willis added 35 on eight attempts before leaving.

— Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of produce

Verb

The culprits are Aedes aegypti, primarily daytime biters that thrive in urban and suburban areas and breed in flowerpots, buckets and other smaller containers, said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so empty yard containers such as flowerpots, tarps and buckets.

— Asia Simone Burns, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of breed

Verb

Linear Television is Not Dead The third panel explored how broadcasters and platforms are adapting to a rapidly changing audiovisual landscape.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Even when the effects are more subtle, the relationship between genome and transposon seems to sometimes go deeper than that of a host adapting to an invading, self-interested genetic force.

— Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026