as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
over time the colonists began to sense that they were becoming a people unto themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of colonist
Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American wine, since colonists attempted the craft in the early 17th century.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
The first Westerners to adopt pajamas were British colonists stationed in early 19th-century India.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
That symbol of gratitude and peaceful coexistence with the English colonists ended in grief for the Wampanoag people, without whom the colonists would not have survived.
—NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
Not surprisingly, some colonists preferred to be layabouts.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
The first Westerners to adopt pajamas were British colonists stationed in early 19th-century India.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
That symbol of gratitude and peaceful coexistence with the English colonists ended in grief for the Wampanoag people, without whom the colonists would not have survived.
—NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
Not surprisingly, some colonists preferred to be layabouts.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonist
Noun
-
The scene Monday reflected the culmination of Israeli settlers’ long campaign to turn this site, overlooking the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, into a settlement.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The show traces Hawaii's history, from the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers to the missionary colonizers publicly banning hula, culminating with the cultural practice once again being celebrated in the islands.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His father, Carl Reiner, was a legendary pioneer in television who created the iconic 1960s comedy, The Dick Van Dyke Show.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As John Kucich notes, Thoreau was a dedicated student of native cultures but largelyrelied on ethnographic accounts written from a settler-colonial perspective.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Dec. 2025
-
Collections include Islamic art and architecture as well as objects from Italian colonial rule, World War II and Libya's independence, with galleries dedicated to the prehistoric period and ancient Libyan tribes, such as the Garamantes.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonist. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
