Thesaurus results for COLONIALS

colonials

noun

plural of colonial

as in settlers

a person who settles in a new region European colonials who built coffee plantations in East Africa

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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.

Recent Examples of colonials About 1870, pajamas surfaced in the Western world as sleeping attire for men, after returning British colonials brought back with them the pajamas worn in India. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 Contemporary colonials have been popular for some time and continue attract buyers. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026 The rest of the colonials quit the field, gathering at a tree line close by. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonials

Noun

As Jesuit missions and Spanish colonization took over the continent in the 16th century, mate was popularized across other countries and between settlers and natives alike to become the region’s largest export.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
During the incident, villagers came out of their homes to confront the settlers and a standoff ensued, with video appearing to show one of the Palestinians grabbing a settler’s weapon.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 July 2026

Definition of settlers

Noun

Hanging from the ceiling is a model of the Wright brothers’ first production airplane — the aviation pioneers were from nearby Dayton and an inspiration for Armstrong.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Nobu was one of the pioneers in promoting the concept of family sharing at dinner, and the menu encourages guests to do so.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of pioneers

Noun

Like much of the valley, Gilroy stands on land that was first occupied by the native Amah Mutsun, then taken over by Spanish colonists and later became Mexico.

— Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
The ancient route was first traveled by hunter-gatherers, before being used by Indigenous traders, Inca messengers, Spanish colonists, and railway workers, among others.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

Definition of colonists

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colonies

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“Colonials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonials. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of colonials

noun

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