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
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Set during the Japanese colonial period — when Taiwan’s cypress industry thrived — the series portrays a world built by men yet seen through the eyes of a Japanese woman.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
But Danish colonial authority – now focused mainly on foreign, defense and economic policy – is facing an unprecedented challenge, and the Scandinavian kingdom is at pains to underline and maintain its military control.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonial
Adjective
Even South Africa—which Mahmood Mamdani, the author of one of the books Sanneh reviews, holds up as a rare example of post-colonial success—has its flaws, as Thabo Mbeki’s and Jacob Zuma’s willingness to let corruption take root shows.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Set during the Japanese colonial period — when Taiwan’s cypress industry thrived — the series portrays a world built by men yet seen through the eyes of a Japanese woman.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
In 1814, in the city of Cap-Henry (Cap-Haitien), King Henry Christophe’s most prolific secretary, Baron de Vastey, published a striking testimonial against slavery, Le Système colonial dévoilé, or The Colonial System Unveiled.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
But Danish colonial authority – now focused mainly on foreign, defense and economic policy – is facing an unprecedented challenge, and the Scandinavian kingdom is at pains to underline and maintain its military control.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonial
Adjective
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The firm is also a member of this year’s Change the World list, which highlights companies that are doing social good through their business models.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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This sounds quite a bit like the scale-at-all-costs mentality of any other social platform.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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White South Africans, whose roots can be traced to settlers arriving under Dutch and British colonial rule, dominated the country through a system of racial segregation known as apartheid from 1948 until its abolishment in the early 1990s.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Finally, the South, where European settlers made their mark, highlights Santa Catarina and the surf beaches of Florianópolis.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Family and love of God, integrity, grit, pioneer grit.—
Justin Ravitz,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
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The resale pioneer’s third-quarter revenues increased 17 percent to $174 million, producing a gross merchandise volume of $520 million.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Britain’s loyalist supporters, for instance, tried repeatedly to weaponize their fellow colonists’ reflexive fear of foreigners, spreading ugly rumors that French Catholic soldiers had orders to persecute American Protestants, claim their lands for King Louis, and ban the speaking of English.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Beaver Moon takes its name from early Native American tribes as well as American colonists, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when beavers begin sheltering in their lodges after gathering enough food to last the winter.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonial. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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