Synonyms of colonies

colonies

noun

plural of colony

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

• plantations
• outposts
• territories
• camps
• protectorates
• habitations
• possessions
• diasporas
• dependencies
• posts
• exclaves
• mandates

2

as in communities

a group of people with a common interest living in one place

New Hampshire's MacDowell colony was founded as a summer residence for writers and composers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• communities
• families
• societies
• companies
• troops
• circles
• coteries
• cliques
• bands
• sets
• clans

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of colonies

This double theft was central to the origins, growth, and eventual success of the English colonies and the United States—not just initially but throughout all of American history. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Advertisement Europe didn’t only take men and material from the colonies for the Great War, but also a repertoire of its illiberal practices in the colonies. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Many of these countries were British colonies, some of which were also once part of British West Africa or British East Africa administrative groupings. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026

Shortly after her arrival at her grandmother’s, in 1900, Australia transforms from six British colonies into a single, largely self-governing commonwealth. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

These predatory social wasps build large colonies and are notorious for scavenging around human food. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Coral colonies could also be seriously affected, as could tuna fishing. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

The German influence is still clear today in the colonies’ shops, restaurants, and celebrations. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 1 Sep. 2026

Living colonies cover recent decades and can be checked against instrument data. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026