as in cultivating
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 domesticating
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
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
Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticating
Verb
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A number of the new bishops came from the ranks of Opus Dei, which had been cultivating a presence in the country for decades.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
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Being a reader means cultivating a relationship with the world that, by most standards, can seem pointless and counterproductive.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump continues training political firepower on Thomas Massie as challenger files to run.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Starting in the new year, Chilli will begin training to sniff out Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), a significant cause of lung damage in Cystic Fibrosis (CF).—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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January is breeding season for the invasive snakes in Florida, and the species is known to congregate in breeding balls on elevated levees and tree islands.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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Stephen and Kristi stand by their stellar reputation in the community, with more than 20 years of experience legally breeding, raising, and rescuing German Shepherds.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Robinhood is known for propagating meme-stock mania, making its founders billionaires, and changing how Americans invest.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
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Torres Maczassek and her brother, Miguel, are considered leaders in climate-change response, including uncovering and re-propagating nearly extinct grape varieties that may fare better in extreme heat and drought.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Privacy and partners Lenovo built Qira using a hybrid AI architecture.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kansas City officials approved the initial funding for the temporary facility in October, using funds from the public safety sales tax.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Achane handled 12 first half carries, producing 64 rushing yards.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Idemitsu is constructing a large-scale facility capable of producing 1,000 metric tons of lithium sulfide annually, with a target of mass production by 2027.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Plaut aims to simplify the flying experience by utilizing software that mirrors a car rather than a traditional airplane.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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One City Church in Littleton, has been utilizing Gloo for about a year now, and the pastor says it's helped them in many ways.—
Ashley Portillo,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticating. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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