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 Watching Jeanie Buss make her rounds underscored the artistry of hosting, of choreographing experiences, of cultivating culture. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Idolizing the American founding, the Claremonters propose radical, counterrevolutionary action to restore government by consent, shatter the administrative state, and cultivate civic virtue. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 The book is about how Swift was able to cultivate such a positive, powerful community and stories about the community. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 And now, the prequel films get to reap the benefits of the chemistry that Banks and Harrelson cultivated. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 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

When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 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

Xenex LightStrike Infections acquired inside hospitals remain a serious problem, especially when harmful germs survive on surfaces after a patient leaves a room.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Leaders can distinguish between capabilities required on day one and knowledge that a capable person can reasonably acquire.

— Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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

Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemums are carefully cultivated and tended through summer to produce the tight, abundant domes of little flowers gardeners prize in autumn.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
King tends to diminish herself physically, curling her shoulders in a dramatic hunch.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of tend

Browse Nearby Words

cultists

cultivate

cultivated

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Style

“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cultivate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cultivate

verb

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