monopolize

1 of 2

verb

mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz 

monopolized; monopolizing

transitive verb

: to get a monopoly of : assume complete possession or control of

monopolize a conversation

monopolization

mə-ˌnä-pə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

monopolizer

mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

monopolizer

2 of 2

noun

mo·​nop·​o·​liz·​er

variants also British monopoliser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that monopolizes

Synonyms of monopolize

Verb

• consume
• possess
• have

Examples of monopolize in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

That purchase is in court, with the HFPA alleging Penske Media and Eldridge fraudulently acquired the show as part of a larger plan to monopolize the awards market. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

South Florida monopolized the jackpot luck in Thursday’s lone major money Florida Lottery draw game. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Hannah-Jones recounts how assignments went ungraded and disruptive students monopolized the attention of teachers—on the rare occasions those teachers weren’t absent. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

While customers drawn by the deal monopolized tables to gorge on order after order of shrimp, restaurants ran out of shrimp and turned away regular customers. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monopolize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

monopolize

verb

mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnäp-ə-ˌlīz 

monopolized; monopolizing

: to acquire or have complete control over

always monopolizing the conversation

monopolization

-ˌnäp-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

monopolizer

-ˈnäp-ə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Legal Definition

monopolize

transitive verb

mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz 

monopolized; monopolizing

: to get a monopoly of

monopolize an industry

monopolization

-ˌnä-pə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun