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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Recent Examples of domesticate
Lonpi Tipi added that domesticating larvae production ultimately would lead to solving problems related to access to protein- and nutrition-rich food.
—
Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
The same response occurred in wild and domesticated tomatoes.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Corn was domesticated in south central Mexico around 9,000 years ago and was an essential ingredient in Aztec civilization.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
But where chimps might merely poke over the ashes, our lineage at some point took the next step in promoting and even domesticating the flames — perhaps picking a smoldering stick from the edges of one grassland, and lighting the grassland in the next valley over.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
The same response occurred in wild and domesticated tomatoes.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Corn was domesticated in south central Mexico around 9,000 years ago and was an essential ingredient in Aztec civilization.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
But where chimps might merely poke over the ashes, our lineage at some point took the next step in promoting and even domesticating the flames — perhaps picking a smoldering stick from the edges of one grassland, and lighting the grassland in the next valley over.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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Once a prominent participant in the Oslo peace process, Barghouti was known for cultivating ties with senior Israeli officials.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Taínos cultivated different crops ranging from fruits to sweet potatoes, yams, and peanuts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors moved up their start times to train more eyeballs on the Fall Classic.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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At Canni, the bar's general manager is also a licensed nurse and herbalist, and trains the staff to answer customer questions about how different products may work in the body, according to cafe and bar manager Moonie Swaser.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sympodial orchids must be propagated by dividing them, not pruning or trimming them.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
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To propagate directly in soil instead, place the cutting in a small pot filled with well-draining soil so the node is buried.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cousin, who is CEO of FSF Ventures, a nonprofit focused on sustainable food business models, believes investments like AI will help spur productivity in land already used for cultivation.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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One post on the platform included a screenshot of a season 4 scene where Will uses a conversation about Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) to reveal his true feelings for Mike.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are many advantages to utilizing a CRM for sales.—
Jason Phillips,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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While Ertz likely won't be utilized as one of the top receiving options on the Commanders on Monday night since both McLaurin and Samuel are returning to the fold, the 13-year NFL veteran could very well hit a career milestone that very few at his position have ever been able to accomplish.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ad was produced by the Ontario government.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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The humanities program will work with the arts board's Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program to train master and apprentice Wisconsin folk artists in planning and producing public programs that showcase and contextualize cultural traditions, stories and histories.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Accrediting bodies, like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, prohibit breeding white tigers, calling it harmful to welfare and conservation goals.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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For Langdale, raising and breeding Lipizzans is both a responsibility and a joy.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The early signs are encouraging but the players are still adapting to Alonso’s demands.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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In the early days of the conflict, the Ukrainian military was much more agile than Russian forces in terms of adapting tactics and equipment.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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