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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of domesticate
Although domesticated animals burrow for comfort, scientists have found there is an evolutionary advantage to burrowing.
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Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
They were domesticated by prehistoric humans and this provided our ancestors with a vital source of muscle, meat and milk.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Now grown worldwide, apples originated in Central Asia thousands of years ago as wild apples and were eventually domesticated.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
But their large presence in U.S. cities points back to our dependence on pigeons in a different time − such as when they were first domesticated for food, and used to carry messages before modern technology.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for domesticate 
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
They were domesticated by prehistoric humans and this provided our ancestors with a vital source of muscle, meat and milk.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Now grown worldwide, apples originated in Central Asia thousands of years ago as wild apples and were eventually domesticated.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
But their large presence in U.S. cities points back to our dependence on pigeons in a different time − such as when they were first domesticated for food, and used to carry messages before modern technology.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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Leaders who cultivate data literacy and technological fluency can confidently navigate AI's complexities.William Arruda, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
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However, the red-carpet treatment highlighted European leaders' eagerness to cultivate relationships with the incoming U.S. administration, particularly given the complex global challenges ahead.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The collaboration also could bolster research efforts and help better train new pediatric cardiologists and other subspecialists.Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
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The alleged operatives were neither highly trained nor seemed especially suspicious to the people who knew them in their day-to-day lives.Zeena Saifi, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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No competitor has the right to propagate the variety for sale without special permission; hence, this privilege gives the breeder a competitive edge.Tammy Sons, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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To that end, Terada has gathered a network of would-be influencers to propagate a range of false stories.Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The words are often used when referring to the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims.Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
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In return, the Rays will use the Yankees’ home clubhouse and training facilities, including the team’s new multistory baseball operations building set to open before the start of spring training.Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The timeline for Carr's return is unknown, but New Orleans will utilize backups Haener and Spencer Rattler in the coming weeks.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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Each bottle utilizes a blend of liquids from the 4, 5, 6, and 7-year barrels.Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Pitt is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where JWP is under an overall deal.Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
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Blue whales can produce a 30-foot high blow that shoots straight up.Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol will focus on the circumstances in Bristol, Connecticut, that bred a community of dangerous men, including three athletes on the same high school football team — Hernandez, Alex Ryng and Nicholas Brutcher — who all went on to become murderers.Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
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Her age is approximate, but she was banded after laying an egg and her species doesn’t breed until at least age 5.Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As businesses continue to take advantage of AI in their operations and decision-making, its importance grows.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Tuatara grow very slowly, taking many years to reach maturity.Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near domesticate
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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