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
Campania, in southeastern Italy, had grape seeds that were more domesticated and found in the Grotta di Pertosa caves.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025
What’s clear is that once domesticated, cats spread quickly — likely aided by Roman expansion — and now enjoy global popularity, with nearly a billion living among us.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
While some frogs call the great outdoors on six continents (excluding Antarctica) home, others are domesticated, kept as pets.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
Tragically, these giant tortoises were almost all wiped out by humans (who ate them) along with their pests, particularly black and brown rats and domesticated goats (which competed for scarce food and destroyed the fragile habitat).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025
What’s clear is that once domesticated, cats spread quickly — likely aided by Roman expansion — and now enjoy global popularity, with nearly a billion living among us.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
While some frogs call the great outdoors on six continents (excluding Antarctica) home, others are domesticated, kept as pets.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
Tragically, these giant tortoises were almost all wiped out by humans (who ate them) along with their pests, particularly black and brown rats and domesticated goats (which competed for scarce food and destroyed the fragile habitat).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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However, real estate value isn't built overnight; it's cultivated over years and often decades.—
Rodolfo Delgado,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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The combination of his roles as singer, songwriter, producer, fitness influencer, and fashion trendsetter has helped Wonho cultivate a diverse global fanbase ahead of this new album cycle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Universities can train students who blend domain knowledge with technical skills.—
Erik Otárola-Castillo,
Time,
7 June 2025
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Before the campaign ever launched, Coca-Cola had already begun training internal teams, building literacy in generative AI tools, and partnering with experts.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Asking a co-worker a question over lunch or during informal discussions after a meeting can help propagate knowledge.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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These ideas propagate because the internet provides bad actors with a platform to distribute them.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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In 2024, Summers performed an Off-Broadway show about his life titled The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, which used Double Dare to tell his life story.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Treatments include massages utilizing a mixture of orange, clove, ginger and seaweed, or emulating the movements of the sea to relieve muscular tension; a seaweed leaf wrap to soften and nourish the skin and skin renewal facials.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Rather than matching in this instance, consider plant growth forms and whether the potential shade generated can be utilized.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, however, his forays have produced mixed results, including in his native India.—
Anu Raghunathan,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Wake Forest has consistently produced major league talent, including five first-round MLB Draft in 2023 and 2024.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Momentum breeds momentum: each successful float provides price discovery that the next issuer can cite, widening the aperture a little more.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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While some cat breeds, such as rag dolls or Maine coons, are considered more sociable, the researchers did not examine differences in behavior based on breed.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
Verb
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In the decades since, PEOPLE has grown to become the iconic brand it is known as today — expanding from a newsstand-only publication to now include digital news coverage and social media coverage, as well as a new app, among other ventures.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
8 June 2025
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In addition, administrative staff positions at most universities and colleges has grown faster than faculty.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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