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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colonies
By sequencing corals and the algae that live inside them, researchers have identified colonies that naturally withstand higher temperatures and are beginning to test whether selectively breeding and growing those more resilient corals can support reef recovery.
—
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Such digressions could pose a problem in the future as the possibilities of human colonies in space become more likely.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Due to melting ice, mass drownings of emperor penguin chicks have occurred at multiple breeding sites, and entire colonies have fallen into the ocean.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Half of all honey bee colonies die every winter in the United States, on average.
—Andony Melathopoulos, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Invasive ants go unnoticed The colonies are also smaller than those of other ants commonly found in one's home, according to NC State.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
The Eastern Colorado prairie was once carpeted with a mix of hardy grasses, flowering plants, and small shrubs that supported great herds of bison and pronghorn, abundant prairie dog colonies, predators like coyotes, foxes, and badgers, as well as numerous bird species, reptiles, and insects.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
In the years since then, Cordes and his team have followed nearly three hundred individual coral colonies within sixteen kilometres of the spill, recording minuscule changes in color, branch lengths, and physical integrity.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The best time to start is early in the season, before colonies are fully established.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Such digressions could pose a problem in the future as the possibilities of human colonies in space become more likely.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Due to melting ice, mass drownings of emperor penguin chicks have occurred at multiple breeding sites, and entire colonies have fallen into the ocean.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Half of all honey bee colonies die every winter in the United States, on average.
—Andony Melathopoulos, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Invasive ants go unnoticed The colonies are also smaller than those of other ants commonly found in one's home, according to NC State.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
The Eastern Colorado prairie was once carpeted with a mix of hardy grasses, flowering plants, and small shrubs that supported great herds of bison and pronghorn, abundant prairie dog colonies, predators like coyotes, foxes, and badgers, as well as numerous bird species, reptiles, and insects.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
In the years since then, Cordes and his team have followed nearly three hundred individual coral colonies within sixteen kilometres of the spill, recording minuscule changes in color, branch lengths, and physical integrity.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The best time to start is early in the season, before colonies are fully established.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonies
Noun
-
The storm’s heavy rains caused widespread flooding that killed at least 43 people and led to the destruction of banana plantations, sorghum, beans, cassava, coffee and other crops as well as the loss of livestock.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
When some of these planters defaulted, Jacob repossessed their plantations.—
Brenda Wineapple,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many residents from rural areas have lived on the same land for generations, watching a cycle of outside companies profit from extracting the state’s resources — from timber to coal and oil and gas — only to pollute and abandon communities afterward.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Interfaith Advisory Commission would help to coordinate religious services, address the needs of at-risk communities, and provide a platform for education and awareness on integrating different traditions.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli media reported the decision also includes construction of electricity and water infrastructure to the outposts.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The weapons station, one of several installations in the region, including outposts in Fallbrook and Norco, supports the Navy’s Pacific fleet.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonies. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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