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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Recent Examples of colonies
The stromatolites, which are formed by colonies of microbes that metabolize carbon and nitrogen in the water, help keep the lagoon pristine.
—
Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
As Christianity spread during the period of the British Empire, the vast bulk of Anglicans – around three out of four – live not in Britain but in its onetime colonies.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
More than 1,000 silver and gold coins thought to be minted in the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico and Peru were uncovered this summer off Florida’s Atlantic coast, 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC announced this week.
—Kate Payne, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
In the two decades that followed, nationalization was embraced by former colonies across Asia and Latin America, spurring the United States and wealthy European nations to start prioritizing domestic resource extraction.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Once the colonies began developing governments and counties, county fairs took off.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
In addition, some organisms use ant mimicry as camouflage to infiltrate ant colonies.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
As Christianity spread during the period of the British Empire, the vast bulk of Anglicans – around three out of four – live not in Britain but in its onetime colonies.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
More than 1,000 silver and gold coins thought to be minted in the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico and Peru were uncovered this summer off Florida’s Atlantic coast, 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC announced this week.
—Kate Payne, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
In the two decades that followed, nationalization was embraced by former colonies across Asia and Latin America, spurring the United States and wealthy European nations to start prioritizing domestic resource extraction.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Once the colonies began developing governments and counties, county fairs took off.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
In addition, some organisms use ant mimicry as camouflage to infiltrate ant colonies.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonies
Noun
-
The armed group controls tens of thousands of acres of coca plantations and has gained significant political leverage as President Gustavo Petro’s Administration scrambles to secure agreements with armed groups critical to advancing Colombia’s broader peace talks and anti-narcotics efforts.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Notwithstanding these limits, data derived from slaveowner records overwhelmingly demonstrate the profitability of New World plantations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Beautiful clean coal has been a reliable energy source supporting American communities and economic growth for generations.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Students in Cal State Fullerton’s Master of Social Work program now have access to a new credential pathway that expands career opportunities and prepares graduates to make an impact at schools in their communities.—
Jenelyn Russo,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This Pascagoula favorite, which has since spawned two additional outposts, is best known for their overstuffed po’boys.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
These were used as outposts for Egypt’s defense against incursions from the west, as well as places of exile and sometimes of escape.—
Vanessa Taylor,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonies. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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