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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of colonists
The Quebec Act, which protected Catholicism in neighboring Quebec, was seen by some colonists as a threat and is reflected in grievances in the Declaration of Independence.
—
ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
For one, Indigenous people resisted American colonists’ expansion into their ancestral homelands, raiding their farms and settlements in the Ohio Valley.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
At that time, a warship required about 30 days to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and be in position to lob a few cannonballs at Boston or Philadelphia, possibly killing a few colonists.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 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, 11 Mar. 2026
This practice outraged the American colonists, who believed that general warrants enabled tyranny by empowering officers to enter homes and businesses at will.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
The Hopis and Zunis were part of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, where Spanish colonists and priests were driven out of the pueblos of New Mexico and northeastern Arizona.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Decades before the Declaration of Independence, colonists organized boycotts and public demonstrations opposing British rule.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
His outrageous attacks on the citizens of Minnesota are as egregious as anything the British Redcoats did to provoke American colonists into revolution, that started with the Battle of Lexington (painting).
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
For one, Indigenous people resisted American colonists’ expansion into their ancestral homelands, raiding their farms and settlements in the Ohio Valley.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
At that time, a warship required about 30 days to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and be in position to lob a few cannonballs at Boston or Philadelphia, possibly killing a few colonists.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 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, 11 Mar. 2026
This practice outraged the American colonists, who believed that general warrants enabled tyranny by empowering officers to enter homes and businesses at will.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
The Hopis and Zunis were part of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, where Spanish colonists and priests were driven out of the pueblos of New Mexico and northeastern Arizona.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Decades before the Declaration of Independence, colonists organized boycotts and public demonstrations opposing British rule.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
His outrageous attacks on the citizens of Minnesota are as egregious as anything the British Redcoats did to provoke American colonists into revolution, that started with the Battle of Lexington (painting).
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonists
Noun
-
Earlier this month, three Palestinians were killed in a violent clash with settlers near Khirbet Abu Falah, east of Ramallah, and in a rare rebuke, the Israeli military strongly condemned the settler violence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Mohamad Torokman / Reuters The Palestinian Health Ministry said one Palestinian was also killed in an attack by Israeli settlers overnight.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The book includes the stories of pioneers like Michele Obama, and Ilona Maher who uplift others and their communities.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The early pioneers set the tone.—
Gina Góngora,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonists. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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