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 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
But South Australia and Adelaide were a change in terms of how Australia was developing its colonies and its cities.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
The Black populations of France’s other colonies had to wait until 1848, when another revolution in Paris led to the passage of a second emancipation law – still 15 years in advance of Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation decree.
—Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
The hive’s sturdy, portable design allowed nineteenth-century beekeepers to manage and transport colonies over long distances.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The bill, expected to be adopted by the National Assembly, will repeal Code Noir, or Black Code, the 1685 decree King Louis XIV signed to govern slaves across France’s colonies.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
So what are American concertgoers, generations removed from those oh-so-pesky 13 colonies, to make of that?
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
In the 1600s, the Alkmaar market traded millions of pounds of cheese, exporting it throughout Europe and European colonies.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
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
But South Australia and Adelaide were a change in terms of how Australia was developing its colonies and its cities.
—AFAR Media, 30 May 2026
The Black populations of France’s other colonies had to wait until 1848, when another revolution in Paris led to the passage of a second emancipation law – still 15 years in advance of Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation decree.
—Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
The hive’s sturdy, portable design allowed nineteenth-century beekeepers to manage and transport colonies over long distances.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The bill, expected to be adopted by the National Assembly, will repeal Code Noir, or Black Code, the 1685 decree King Louis XIV signed to govern slaves across France’s colonies.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
So what are American concertgoers, generations removed from those oh-so-pesky 13 colonies, to make of that?
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
In the 1600s, the Alkmaar market traded millions of pounds of cheese, exporting it throughout Europe and European colonies.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
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
-
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 5 Jun. 2026.
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