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
Before the Civil War, the U.S. military was kept small, in part to avoid the kinds of abuses American colonists suffered under the British.
—
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
The effect was to rally hundreds, if not thousands, of colonists to the rebellion.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The community’s festive send-off identifies this as an important rite of passage, though the gatekeeper reminds Spike that no rescuers or search parties will be sent after colonists that fail to return.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For most white Americans, and especially enslavers, the white colonists of Saint Domingue experiencing these changes were a focus of racial empathy.
—Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
The effect was to rally hundreds, if not thousands, of colonists to the rebellion.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The community’s festive send-off identifies this as an important rite of passage, though the gatekeeper reminds Spike that no rescuers or search parties will be sent after colonists that fail to return.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For most white Americans, and especially enslavers, the white colonists of Saint Domingue experiencing these changes were a focus of racial empathy.
—Time, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonist
Noun
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The primary driver of its extinction was likely the introduction of feral cats, brought to the island by naval crews and settlers.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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But Filson disappeared in the woods, presumed killed by the Shawnee, shortly before the first settlers arrived.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Noun
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The neo-soul pioneer treated fans to a journey through her extensive catalog of hits, each song delivered with her signature blend of spiritual intensity and playful irreverence.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
6 July 2025
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Jennings was already a country music legend before joining the show, as a pioneer of the outlaw country movement alongside artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The letter closes with Einstein’s admiration of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated just four years earlier after leading India to its independence from British colonial rule.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 June 2025
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Fast-track reform Under British colonial rule, much of Zimbabwe’s territory was carved up and handed out to white settlers.—
Ish Mafundikwa,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonist. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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