CULTIVATE Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

cultivate

verb

ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt

Definition of cultivate

as in to develop

to come to have gradually cultivated a taste for opera in order to fit in with his new circle of friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of cultivated a passion for learning among his students over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grow

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care in an attempt to produce New World counterparts of the wines that he had enjoyed in Europe, Jefferson cultivated several varieties of grapes at Monticello

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to harvest

to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on we ought to cultivate the field out back

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cultivate Hershey is one of several big candy and snack-makers trying to cultivate younger crowds with new flavors and textures. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 However, what if your goal is to cultivate bigger blooms each year? — The Spruce, 1 Sep. 2026 Instead, Harryson says to water deeply and less frequently when conditions allow to cultivate deeper roots. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 No one can fill her high heels, cultivate such a diverse group of listeners from Nashville to Nairobi, or better embody the American poverty-to-philanthropy story. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cultivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cultivate

Verb

After being implanted beneath the skin of their backs, the tissues developed their own blood supply and began to contract spontaneously.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The company’s Lithium Ceramic Battery platform has been developed since 2012.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

The most important step countries can collectively take is to promote innovation.

— Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
But it is increasingly shaped by what’s happening on the other side of the country, in Washington, where the federal government is working to slow the transition to EVs and promote a fossil fuel future for America.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

As the affiliate industry grows, particularly for fashion brands and beauty brands which increasingly route a growing share of sales through such links, the answer is getting harder to parse.

— Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
According to the memo, Google's electric demand is expected to grow faster than Entergy can add new electricity generation.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

It's often called the Corn Moon, to reflect the time when the summer crop was ready to harvest.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The electricity harvested from the vehicle skin can run onboard systems, recharge battery banks, and reduce the fuel needed for auxiliary generators.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of harvest

Verb

But five first-round draft choices eliminated for the Clippers, a team that was already acquiring draft picks in an obvious rebuild!

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The Bayeux Museum recently acquired an early photographic copy of the tapestry from the estate of the Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of acquire

Verb

By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The bark can also be stripped from the branch, called girdling, which encourages faster root growth.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

While shoes with great stability tend to run a bit heavier, these sneakers are still incredibly light and perfect for all-day wear.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026
To get the work done, his administration has found ways to circumvent the procedural obstacles that tend to slow federal projects.

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of tend

Browse Nearby Words

cultists

cultivate

cultivated

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cultivate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cultivate

verb

Example Sentences

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