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
Kitty Snows is a cat who participated in the Blue Collar Cat program, a scheme to rehome strays that cannot be domesticated (having witnessed too much on the streets).
—
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
As a team of anthropologists and archaeologists led by William D. Lipe explains, turkeys have a unique history in the land that’s now the US of A.
Turkeys are the only animal native to this part of the world to be domesticated.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Nov. 2024
The team's work revealed that the ducks in the sample appear to have been intentionally fed maize as early as A.D. 800—and may have even been domesticated by around this time.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
As a team of anthropologists and archaeologists led by William D. Lipe explains, turkeys have a unique history in the land that’s now the US of A.
Turkeys are the only animal native to this part of the world to be domesticated.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Nov. 2024
The team's work revealed that the ducks in the sample appear to have been intentionally fed maize as early as A.D. 800—and may have even been domesticated by around this time.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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The acquisition of Curious Refuge will enable Promise to cultivate a talent pipeline versed in AI production techniques.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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That could leave Kenyans feeling burned, undermining the soft power the United States has spent decades — and billions — cultivating.—
Jeffrey Gettleman,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, this assistance can only be provided by accredited agents who are trained, tested, overseen and when appropriate, disciplined and punished by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2025
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Art of Wine with Barbara Baxter Join wine whiz Barbara Baxter, who trained at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Napa and studied in Italy and France, on a delightful romp through cultural history paired with harmonious wines.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The ideal time of year to propagate stem cuttings depends on the species, and usually, woody plants root best in soil or potting mix rather than in water.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2025
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Those fears are propagating into the way homebuyers look at new properties, into the shopping and selection process and therefore the sales process, into land development, into economic impacts and on and on.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Given the increasing rates of catastrophic disease and the rapidly evolving nature of pathogens, scientists in these sectors hope to use the best of the advancements in AI to help solve some of biology’s toughest challenges.—
Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.D.,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The dog owner, who uses the social-media tag @_nalacockapoo, decided to share how the doting pup follows her to the shower, in a video that has garnered more than 517,300 views and over 28,900 likes on TikTok.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When George gets nothing more than a couple jump balls, Williams gets nothing at all, and the team refuses to utilize the most physically gifted guy on the field in Darnell Washington, none of this matters.—
Mike DeFabo,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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Well before Homer Glen incorporated as a municipality in 2001, developers were building subdivisions that were too dense to utilize well and septic systems, village engineer Brett Westcott said at a Village Board meeting last month.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The other 92% is nearly all produced at California refineries.—
Russ Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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On tap for the region through Saturday night are severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours that could even produce multiple tornadoes, said AccuWeather severe weather expert Guy Pearson.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Animal welfare organizations have long advocated for regulating purebred breeders, due to the many purebred pets that face neglect or abandonment after being bred in unsanitary conditions or for profit, something that Helen Woodward Animal Center echoes.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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Shirley poppies, bred from corn poppies outside Shirley, England, in the 1880s, come up in red, pink, rose, lilac, salmon and white.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Betting on the Future As more businesses recognize the strategic value of premium domains, demand may continue to grow, potentially influencing pricing trends.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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Her parents, who had grown accustomed to hearing from Lam every day by phone, did not hear from her on the 31st and quickly grew concerned.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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