as in settlers
a person who settles in a new region
over time the colonists began to sense that they were becoming a people unto themselves
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Recent Examples of colonists
The Articles of Association of 1774 was signed by all 53 delegates urging colonists to boycott British goods, marking the Continental Congress's first protest against Britain.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
In the 1700s, Dutch settlers arrived at Kalk Bay, and it was later occupied by British colonists who turned it into a major whaling center.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026
Historians believe that the attack killed at least 400 colonists and soldiers, or about 1 in 6 Spaniards in New Mexico.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Baskets were a ubiquitous part of Chumash life before the colonists came.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
By the late 19th century, colonists were harvesting tons of guano from these caves, to be exported as fertilizer.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
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
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
In the 1700s, Dutch settlers arrived at Kalk Bay, and it was later occupied by British colonists who turned it into a major whaling center.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026
Historians believe that the attack killed at least 400 colonists and soldiers, or about 1 in 6 Spaniards in New Mexico.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
Baskets were a ubiquitous part of Chumash life before the colonists came.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
By the late 19th century, colonists were harvesting tons of guano from these caves, to be exported as fertilizer.
—Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonists
Noun
-
In the 1700s, Dutch settlers arrived at Kalk Bay, and it was later occupied by British colonists who turned it into a major whaling center.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2026
-
From there, settlers quickly established a foothold by creating a makeshift cultural center at the site, putting on lectures, readings and exhibits.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The city was founded by Mormon pioneers and built with a grid system that fans out from the Temple Square.—
Wendy Altschuler,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For anyone who is looking, there are easy-to-find references to pioneers of the genre, particularly to artists associated with the rich cultural history of Taos and the rest of New Mexico.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonists. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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