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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In a 2017 oral history of the notorious scene, One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn recalled that the origins of the scene lay in the idea of cultivating some sympathy for the villainous Dan.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
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While Republicans blast Mamdani as the face of socialism, Newsom has been quietly, and at times aggressively, cultivating donors, visiting early-primary states, and sharpening a message aimed at elevating California’s model of governance on the national stage.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The 37-year-old runs a small home care company in her neighborhood and is training to be a phlebotomist, but still relies on food stamps to get by.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
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Whether your gift recipient is training for a marathon or just loves exploring new cities on foot, these sneakers strike that perfect balance of comfort, performance, and style that travelers will actually appreciate.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Schwanz pointed out how the work goes back to breeding resilience—not just breeding crops that can do more with less or maximizing yield—but true resilience for everyone.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
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Alpha Genesis’s red-meat pivot is emblematic of the desperate position in which the primate-breeding industry now finds itself.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The two-day trial of ten people accused of sexist cyberbullying against France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron by propagating fake and malicious claims about her sexuality and gender began in Paris on Monday.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
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The idea of waves propagating through a barrier has been around for a long time, since before the existence of quantum mechanics.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Guests can order the complimentary coffee in-bakery, through the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
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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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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This involves utilizing technology to enhance autonomy, making informed decisions based on data, and coordinating tactics within groups for future combat.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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 14 Nov. 2025.
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