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
Some caves in the region hold up to one million bats, although the research team did not enter caves with large bat colonies due to health concerns, according to the report.
—
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The king remains head of state in many former British colonies.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Through freedom of information (FoI) requests, the Guardian determined that around 37,000 items of human remains ended up in the UK from overseas, including from former British colonies, while the origins of 16,000 similar items have not been confirmed.
—News Desk, Artforum, 18 Mar. 2026
Feral cat colonies would not be allowed inside residences, but must be sheltered in a garage, shed or basement during extreme weather.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The Vatican released on Monday details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming four-nation Africa tour, suggesting Christian-Muslim relations, comforting victims of violence and encouraging the Catholic community in former European colonies will be key themes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Not only slaves, but Haitians fought on the side of the colonies as part of a French contingent during the Revolutionary War!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
England and the colonies were still using an old calendar with roots dating back to Babylonian times.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
The treaty also supported the idea of the Delaware acting as the leader of a coalition of other Native nations that would join the colonies as a state with representation in Congress when the war ended.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The king remains head of state in many former British colonies.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Through freedom of information (FoI) requests, the Guardian determined that around 37,000 items of human remains ended up in the UK from overseas, including from former British colonies, while the origins of 16,000 similar items have not been confirmed.
—News Desk, Artforum, 18 Mar. 2026
Feral cat colonies would not be allowed inside residences, but must be sheltered in a garage, shed or basement during extreme weather.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
The Vatican released on Monday details of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming four-nation Africa tour, suggesting Christian-Muslim relations, comforting victims of violence and encouraging the Catholic community in former European colonies will be key themes.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Not only slaves, but Haitians fought on the side of the colonies as part of a French contingent during the Revolutionary War!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
England and the colonies were still using an old calendar with roots dating back to Babylonian times.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
The treaty also supported the idea of the Delaware acting as the leader of a coalition of other Native nations that would join the colonies as a state with representation in Congress when the war ended.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonies
Noun
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Much of my adolescence was spent in Kandy, a city built around a lake, set amid the lush tea plantations of the hill country.—
Eranda Jayawickreme,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The fire trend is linked to the proliferation of nonnative and highly flammable grasses, particularly on fallowed landscapes once used for sugar and pineapple plantations.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Five-year and single-year growth rankings in the new census data are littered at the top with communities across the Carolinas, big and small.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The network, which coordinates security for Jewish communities in North America, hosted the national security briefing ahead of Passover and amid rising global tensions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the last three decades, Weiss has directly helped establish dozens of Israeli outposts – settlements in the West Bank built without legal authorization.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Rewilding Argentina has also, in recent years, crafted a network of fresh trails and rock-climbing routes in Parque Patagonia, and glamping outposts in El Impenetrable National Park, in Argentina’s semiarid Gran Chaco forests.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonies. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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