monopolize

verb

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

transitive verb

: to get a monopoly of : assume complete possession or control of
monopolize a conversation
monopolization noun
monopolizer noun

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 Related article Green bubbles, Apple Pay and other reasons why America says Apple is breaking the law The DOJ lawsuit argues Apple has illegally monopolized smartphone markets by blocking innovative new apps and services. Allison Morrow, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Humans have been around a mere fraction of the time that moths have — despite their individual life spans of less than a week — and for an even smaller portion of our existence, light projected onto fabric at 24 frames per second has monopolized our collective attention. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The growing role of private equity firms in U.S. physician practices has drawn criticism from politicians and watchdogs who say the financiers are enriching investors by monopolizing markets and raising prices. Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 The usual detangling routine that monopolized my mornings was reduced to a quick swish with the Tangle Teezer, and voila, my hair was devoid of flyaways. Hasina Jeelani, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2024 This month, the US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Apple and Epic in the case, leaving in place a lower-court ruling finding that Apple illegally monopolized app distribution. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 Will superhero fatigue finally prove fatal to the genre that has monopolized the attention economy for two decades? Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit accusing it of monopolizing the market for Call of Duty leagues and tournaments. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024 In this context, the presence of a legal cannabis market would significantly improve the chances of cracking down on the illicit market, which currently monopolizes cannabis sales in the country. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monopolize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monopolize was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near monopolize

Cite this Entry

“Monopolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monopolize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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 noun
monopolizer 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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on monopolize

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