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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Recent Examples of domesticate
Some 15,000 years since humans first domesticated the wolf, scientists have learned that different barks mean different things—for instance, dogs use lower, longer barks for strangers—but our understanding of dog communication remains rather limited.
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Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024
Then, about 27 million years ago, a subset of ants completely domesticated their fungal cultivars, just as humans have done with most of our staples, which are now remote from their wild roots.
—Byariana Remmel, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024
But when and how people domesticated horses has been an ongoing scientific mystery.
—William Taylor, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
The sweet potato, which was domesticated in the Andes, was a staple of Polynesian cuisine long before European contact; and chicken bones from Polynesian lineages that predate European colonization have been found at South American archeological sites.
—Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for domesticate 
Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024
Then, about 27 million years ago, a subset of ants completely domesticated their fungal cultivars, just as humans have done with most of our staples, which are now remote from their wild roots.
—Byariana Remmel, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024
But when and how people domesticated horses has been an ongoing scientific mystery.
—William Taylor, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024
The sweet potato, which was domesticated in the Andes, was a staple of Polynesian cuisine long before European contact; and chicken bones from Polynesian lineages that predate European colonization have been found at South American archeological sites.
—Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for domesticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticate
Verb
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Newsom has devoted much of his second term as governor to cultivating national media attention, especially from Democrat-leaning outlets such as MSNBC.Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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The devastation that wiped out the dinosaurs created ideal conditions for various fungi to thrive, and ants actually began to cultivate fungi.Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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They are especially trained to assist their handlers with tasks related to their disabilities, and distractions—such as sudden petting or interaction—can interfere with the dog's ability to perform its duties.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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Election officials nationwide are trained and ready to count votes.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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What the pyramid structure implies is that such an experience will propagate down in some way, changing the levels below it.Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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This dynamic—in which a bee feeds on a flower’s nectar and gathers pollen to feed larvae, and also propagates pollen from flower to flower, enabling plant reproduction—was already well established.Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
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One bird tutor was then released into each group, so that the flock mates could learn to use one solution over another.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
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The groups’ American Electorate Voter Poll — using a larger Latino sample and additional techniques for polling Hispanics — flipped that outcome, with Harris winning 56% of Latino men to Trump’s 43%.Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Instead of a single strap, the Nao utilizes a harness system (with multiple adjustment points) for your head.Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
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The company utilized cash for acquisitions totaling $31.1 million and capital expenditures of $82.3 million during the same period.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme gave Purdy fits last year when Macdonald coordinated Baltimore’s defense (four interceptions), but produced 255 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers and no sacks in the 49ers’ win at Seattle last month.Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
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The company continues to focus on its primary business activities, which include producing and distributing tea leaves, importing animal proteins, and selling synthetic fuel products.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Typically breeding once a year, quokkas produce only one baby, a joey.Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
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Basically that poor enforcement had bred serious disrespect for the law, or at least a misunderstanding of it.Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Those arguments have been repeated by a small but growing number of online detractors.Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
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As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible? Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near domesticate
Cite this Entry
“Domesticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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