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
The impulse to domesticate performance into a comprehensible story was denied by the sensory bombardment of his productions.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Since the latest iteration of the virus first appeared in North America in 2021, wildlife officials estimate that hundreds of cats — wild and domesticated — have died as a result of infection, including 20 animals at a big cat sanctuary in Washington State in December.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
By the time that the 16th century Spanish conquered Mexico, the plant was domesticated and in use as an ornamental for various ceremonies.
—Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
Whether it was domesticated by the Aztecs or an earlier civilization is unknown.
—Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Since the latest iteration of the virus first appeared in North America in 2021, wildlife officials estimate that hundreds of cats — wild and domesticated — have died as a result of infection, including 20 animals at a big cat sanctuary in Washington State in December.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
By the time that the 16th century Spanish conquered Mexico, the plant was domesticated and in use as an ornamental for various ceremonies.
—Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
Whether it was domesticated by the Aztecs or an earlier civilization is unknown.
—Norman Ellstrand and Nathan Ellstrand / Made By History, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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Iran has cultivated an astonishing intellectual and artistic depth with far fewer resources than many other nations.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
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It must be cultivated with intention and consistency, and often, small steps are required to build it.—
Dr. Jennifer Bryant,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The actress trained with stunt teams daily for months to play Eve, a ballerina in Derek Kolstad's clandestine cinematic universe becoming as deadly as Reeves’ assassin — or deadlier?—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Flight attendants are trained through a four-tier wine education e-learning program developed in partnership with Andrea Robinson, Delta’s longtime sommelier.—
Rachel King,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Ars Video That model was based on how lithium ions propagate through a battery's electrodes, akin to how caffeine molecules dissolve from coffee grounds.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 Apr. 2025
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And Verification: Today, misinformation propagates at lightning speed.—
Daniel Lotzof,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors said Mahdi constantly used brutality to solve his problems.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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The team used surrogate dogs -- since adopted through the humane society -- to help give birth to the dire wolves, which are white.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At the time of his murder, the DEA and Camarena had been utilizing a series of wiretaps to make sizeable drug busts inside Mexico.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Those companies—Fanatics, Under Armour, Adidas, New Balance, New Era Cap, Nike, Puma, Lululemon, Amer Sports, Asics and Dick’s Sporting Goods—utilize 2,508 factories around the world.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And the more rapid the cycle, the more dust is produced.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Missouri’s Luther Burden III — Burden, who produced 2,263 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons, is a dynamic presence when in open space.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lamm says that Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi will not be allowed to breed; moreover, the company anticipates genetically engineering just three to five more of the animals.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
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As of now, there's no plan for the wolves to breed.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This tree definitely has a flair for the dramatic, performing well throughout the South, displaying flowers up to 1 foot wide, growing as tall as 80 feet (depending on selection), featuring glossy evergreen foliage, and exuding a captivating scent that draws your attention.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2025
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Under California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act, people 21 and older can legally grow, possess and use cannabis for recreational use.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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