monopolize

verb

mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
Synonyms of monopolizenext

transitive verb

: to get a monopoly of : assume complete possession or control of
monopolize a conversation
monopolization noun
monopolizer noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Henson, who does a lot with a character that doesn’t monopolize the spotlight, touches little Zonia’s hair or steals a subtle glance at her now and then. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026 Rumanes’ suit was filed a week after a jury in New York found Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit had illegally monopolized the event ticketing market for years. Gretchen Morgenson, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 While the other males in the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve’s Kea group spend lots of time squabbling and making threat displays, Bruce is free to wander the aviary and monopolize feeding stations and prime perches, the study reports. Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026 This bill simply requires that half of those dollars go to the local news outlets that serve Maryland communities rather than to the tech platforms and out-of-state media conglomerates that seek to monopolize government ad spending. Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monopolize

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monopolize was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monopolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monopolize. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

monopolize

verb
mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnäp-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
: to acquire or have complete control over
always monopolizing the conversation
monopolization noun
monopolizer noun

Legal Definition

monopolize

transitive verb
mo·​nop·​o·​lize mə-ˈnä-pə-ˌlīz How to pronounce monopolize (audio)
monopolized; monopolizing
: to get a monopoly of
monopolize an industry
monopolization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on monopolize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster