monopolize

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

Synonyms of monopolize

• consume
• possess
• have

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

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

Three friends from Mexico had come close to monopolizing Hollywood’s highest directing honor. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 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

The payoff is that bulky, awkward items like pot lids and foil boxes stop monopolizing a shelf and become easy to grab. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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