as in social
tending to group with others of the same kind
colonial organisms
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
European colonials who built coffee plantations in East Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colonial
Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump’s frequent posturing about Greenland strikes right at the heart of the territory’s politics, which has long been shaped by Denmark’s colonial legacy and a push for independence.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Today, the brown colonial is where Nina Zannieri, executive director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and a cadre of interpreters attempt to fill in the details of the man behind the legend.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonial
Adjective
Cherry floors feel right at home in traditional or colonial-style spaces, but pairing them with sleek, modern furniture can start to feel less cohesive.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump’s frequent posturing about Greenland strikes right at the heart of the territory’s politics, which has long been shaped by Denmark’s colonial legacy and a push for independence.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
The current spat comes during a year when Japan-China relations are already strained, in part because of Tokyo’s colonial and war-time past.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Today, the brown colonial is where Nina Zannieri, executive director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and a cadre of interpreters attempt to fill in the details of the man behind the legend.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonial
Adjective
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The condition, which can cause a wide array of neurological problems, can result in seizures or difficulty with communication and social interaction, according to Medline.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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Bailey served as Randal Taylor’s assistant chief for four years between 2020 and 2024, a turbulent time for the department marked by social justice protests, an explosion in police action shootings and police staffing shortages.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Changing climate drove Norse settlers out of Greenland 700 years ago.—
Paul Bierman,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has continued to escalate for months as mobs of settler extremists attempt to force the civilians out of their homes, clashing with Israel Defense Forces personnel sent to quell the crowds at times.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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His father, Carl Reiner, was a legendary pioneer in television who created the iconic 1960s comedy, The Dick Van Dyke Show.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
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Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American wine, since colonists attempted the craft in the early 17th century.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonial. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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