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

But the retaliation prompted Compass to file an antitrust suit, claiming that Zillow was the one trying to monopolize listings. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

Dishwasher racks are valuable real estate that shouldn’t be monopolized by your cat and his Fancy Feast. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

But that kind of reconstruction project would take more time, and more money – something the national government could not even consider with the war monopolizing resources. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026

Choosing September as the initial sales peak allows Apple to monopolize freight capacity before earnest holiday shipping begins. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 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