1
as in plantations
a settlement in a new country or region
the early history of New York City when it was a Dutch colony
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Recent Examples of colonies
The king is the head of state in Canada, a member of the Commonwealth of former colonies.
—
ABC News, 8 June 2026
Soon other colonies followed the state’s lead, and the 13 colonies approved the Declaration of Independence two days later.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
In addition to this itinerary, White Desert operates remote camps in Antarctica, flying guests from Cape Town and offering the chance to sleep on the Seventh Continent while exploring penguin colonies, going on glacier hikes, and even visiting the South Pole.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
In the course of just over a year, a total of 19 cannons were hoisted from the location just downstream from Savannah, which is where Georgia was founded in 1733 as the last of Britain's 13 American colonies.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
He’s been known in the United States for centuries as the English ruler who lost the American colonies.
—Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
These wasps live in colonies, with up to 5,000 insects living in a single nest at one time.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
The next newspaper would not be printed in the colonies for 14 long years.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
In fact, in the North Sea, scientists have already documented fluctuations in porpoise strandings and the establishment of new seal colonies along the coast.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
ABC News, 8 June 2026
Soon other colonies followed the state’s lead, and the 13 colonies approved the Declaration of Independence two days later.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
In addition to this itinerary, White Desert operates remote camps in Antarctica, flying guests from Cape Town and offering the chance to sleep on the Seventh Continent while exploring penguin colonies, going on glacier hikes, and even visiting the South Pole.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026
In the course of just over a year, a total of 19 cannons were hoisted from the location just downstream from Savannah, which is where Georgia was founded in 1733 as the last of Britain's 13 American colonies.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
He’s been known in the United States for centuries as the English ruler who lost the American colonies.
—Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
These wasps live in colonies, with up to 5,000 insects living in a single nest at one time.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
The next newspaper would not be printed in the colonies for 14 long years.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
In fact, in the North Sea, scientists have already documented fluctuations in porpoise strandings and the establishment of new seal colonies along the coast.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonies
Noun
-
Eco effort Many of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands have been smashed by overdevelopment, palm oil plantations, plastic waste and water pollution, which is why Bawah and its fierce environmental program feel so crucial.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
This is a traditional harvest festival that had its beginnings on the sugar cane plantations during the islands colonial period.—
Martie Bowser,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The initiative, called New York Kicks, is geared towards building fields in disadvantaged communities.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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Sunrise hikes beside the statues, volcanic landscapes, local guides and museums bring Rapa Nui culture to life, while conservation programs protect the archaeological sites and local communities continue to preserve their traditions, language, music and dance.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Vermont Adaptive has outposts at Vermont’s Sugarbush and Pico resorts.—
Cari Shane,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
China has spent years expanding military infrastructure across the South China Sea, including radar systems, surveillance networks, air defense systems, and electronic warfare capabilities positioned on artificial islands and outposts.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonies. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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