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
That means that winemakers across what is now France must have switched from domesticating wild grapes to propagating them directly—that is, cloning grapevines by taking cuttings of the plants to start new groves.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026
And perhaps no one brand better exemplifies the nation's work than Track Trailer and its Tvan, a little 'drop trailer that's been domesticating the Outback for over a quarter-century.
—New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
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
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026
And perhaps no one brand better exemplifies the nation's work than Track Trailer and its Tvan, a little 'drop trailer that's been domesticating the Outback for over a quarter-century.
—New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for domesticating
Verb
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The story centers on Zha, a janitor at a bankrupt, long-shuttered film studio who retreats into a virtual world, cultivating an online romance and dreaming of a voyage to the Moon.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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These guerrilla pop-ups launched the heartland quartet – singer Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor – into a world of TikToks and Instagram posts, simultaneously cultivating a fan base decades younger than the now-middle-aged rockers.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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Chips built differently Unlike traditional processors optimized mainly for training large language models, the M890 is aimed at handling continuous agent operations where systems must coordinate actions, retain context for extended periods, and process large volumes of data in real time.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The findings suggest that restoration could be improved by selecting or breeding eelgrass better suited to future conditions.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Prevent mosquitos from breeding by eliminating standing water, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Fascism, then and now, is masterful at propagating and reinforcing its ideas through an aesthetic that captivates a large number of people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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Avoid propagating plants that are actively flowering.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Tribune adopted it in 1940, but Porter’s motto remained largely a regional phenomenon for four decades until CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger, a former Chicago newspaper reporter, began using it during the NCAA tournament in 1982.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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But Cole overcame that initial adversity, getting Jonathan Aranda to fly out harmlessly, and then using a slick inside move to pick off Simpson.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The Sox sent 13 batters to the plate while producing their most runs in an inning since scoring 11 in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds on May 7, 2023, at Great American Ball Park.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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His knowledge and love of movies fueled his writing and co-producing on the American Film Institute’s Salutes not only to Peck but to Gene Kelly, Billy Wilder, Barbara Stanwyck and Jack Lemmon.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Huang, based in Brooklyn, has produced a series of lamps drawing upon her childhood memories in Southwest China, utilizing Chinese lantern and paper techniques.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
17 May 2026
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The Pistons also check in riding a wave of confidence after their dominant 115-94 win in Cleveland in Game 6, giving me confidence in utilizing the Pistons moneyline as the first leg of our parlay.—
Juan Carlos Blanco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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Israel’s national security minister inflamed the situation with a provocative visit to the contested Al Aqsa Mosque compound, raising concerns about Jerusalem’s status in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Domesticating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/domesticating. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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