as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants
believes that someday humans will be sent to colonize Mars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 colonize
Trump’s tariffs, immigration requirements, and threats to colonize their country had pushed them to leave.
—
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Font’s Point was named by explorer Juan Bautista de Anza to honor Father Pedro Font, who served as chaplain for the first overland expedition from Mexico to colonize California in 1775-76.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
When pretty much any manmade object is implanted in the body, there's a chance that harmful bacteria will colonize its surface – and the surrounding tissue.
—New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025
The Vikings were a group of Scandinavian warriors who violently colonized coastal Europe between the 9th and 11th centuries.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonize
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Font’s Point was named by explorer Juan Bautista de Anza to honor Father Pedro Font, who served as chaplain for the first overland expedition from Mexico to colonize California in 1775-76.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
When pretty much any manmade object is implanted in the body, there's a chance that harmful bacteria will colonize its surface – and the surrounding tissue.
—New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025
The Vikings were a group of Scandinavian warriors who violently colonized coastal Europe between the 9th and 11th centuries.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonize
Verb
-
Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
-
The shop, known for its French pastries, will inhabit a 2,800-square-foot space on the ground level of a new luxury apartment complex called The Juniper at 19865 Mainstreet in Parker.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
The plan is to populate the development with lifestyle boutiques, storefronts and fast-casual spots.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
-
To populate this murderer’s row of, well, murderers, Davidson races against the clock to court talent and get them to New York in time for filming.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Louis is the kind of polarizing character who people either really loved or loved to hate.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
-
The mountains are peopled with guides, trail keepers and fellow travelers, as well as those who have died on their treks when the weather turned.—
Sadie Stein,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonize. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share