monopolize

verb

mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
Synonyms of monopolizenext

transitive verb

: to get a monopoly of : assume complete possession or control of
monopolize a conversation
monopolization
mə-ˌnä-pə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
noun
monopolizer
mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of monopolize in a Sentence

He's always monopolizing the conversation. The company has monopolized the market for computer operating systems. One group monopolized the camping area, taking almost all of the campsites.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Meta is currently in court against the Federal Trade Commission, which has alleged that the company monopolizes the social networking market and shouldn’t have been able to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp. — Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025 Google monopolized the market providing tools to publishers and the market connecting publishers and advertisers, referred to as an ad exchange, Brinkema found. — Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025 The government took aim at an allegedly anticompetitive acquisition scheme employed by Google to monopolize the adverting market. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025 Rory McIlroy didn’t monopolize all of last week’s golf fun. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monopolize

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monopolize was in 1601

Rhymes for monopolize

See All Rhymes for monopolize

Browse Nearby Words

monopolistic competition
monopolize
monopoloid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monopolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monopolize. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

monopolize

verb
mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnäp-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
: to acquire or have complete control over
always monopolizing the conversation
monopolization
-ˌnäp-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
noun
monopolizer
-ˈnäp-ə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

monopolize

transitive verb
mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
: to get a monopoly of
monopolize an industry
monopolization
-ˌnä-pə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on monopolize

Nglish: Translation of monopolize for Spanish Speakers

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