as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
over time the colonists began to sense that they were becoming a people unto themselves
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Recent Examples of colonist
When other nearby ports were under British control during the Revolutionary War, the colonists were able to use Washington for resupply efforts.
—
Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
The American origin story is rooted in the notion that George III was its vanquished villain, an irrational tyrant who oppressed the American colonists.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Honey hunting became a popular pastime, as colonists tracked down wild colonies to harvest wax and honey like their ancestors back in Europe.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Four years later, the Powhatans launched a rebellion against English colonists.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
The American origin story is rooted in the notion that George III was its vanquished villain, an irrational tyrant who oppressed the American colonists.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Honey hunting became a popular pastime, as colonists tracked down wild colonies to harvest wax and honey like their ancestors back in Europe.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Four years later, the Powhatans launched a rebellion against English colonists.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonist
Noun
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While that name was chosen in 1946 by Ned Irish, the team’s founder and president, Knickerbocker is a Dutch surname that dates back to the early settlers of New Netherland.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
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The setting and the Puritan settlers who first attempt to tame Widow’s Bay also bring to mind Robert Eggers’ The Witch, a more recent addition to the folk-horror canon.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Noun
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William Arruda is a keynote speaker, personal branding pioneer, and Senior Contributor to Forbes.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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The whole opening of the film pays homage to those pioneers of cinema.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
20 June 2026
Noun
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This brick colonial, tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac in Devonwood, one of Farmington’s premier communities, defines design excellence, luxury, and comfort.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
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The first to feature baseball appeared in 1934 and was issued in the Philippines, where the sport had been introduced under American colonial rule.—
Tom Reinsfelder,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonist. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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