as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants
believes that someday humans will be sent to colonize Mars
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Recent Examples of colonize
These mechanisms can create new effector genes that enable pathogens to infect and colonize a host plant.
—
Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
The buildings that housed a prideful labor force are vandalized, colonized by squatters or boarded up.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
To colonize there would be to live one's entire life inside a tin can buried in a cave.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
Ethiopia, the only African nation not colonized in the early 20th century, became a powerful symbol of Black freedom and influenced much of the visual symbolism seen today, according to Blavity (via Yahoo).
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonize
Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
The buildings that housed a prideful labor force are vandalized, colonized by squatters or boarded up.
—Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
To colonize there would be to live one's entire life inside a tin can buried in a cave.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
Ethiopia, the only African nation not colonized in the early 20th century, became a powerful symbol of Black freedom and influenced much of the visual symbolism seen today, according to Blavity (via Yahoo).
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonize
Verb
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While it’s been inhabited by different people and families, including dukes and even a doctor who is said to haunt the castle still today, it was owned by Christopher Brooke from the 1980s until 2024.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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This assumption is remarkably out of step with the people who actually inhabit the city’s public space.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shea Sprague and Jack Winnay, both recent draft picks by the Red Sox with Boston-area ties, are among the many minor leaguers populating the Fenway South complex this spring.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
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An auditorium in the Tri-Rail headquarters building next to the rail line’s Pompano Beach station was heavily populated by staff members and contractors, as well as Dech’s wife, Kathy.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The paradox of this quartet of movies up for the new casting Oscar, all boldly peopled with nonprofessionals, is that this very practice has become professionalized.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
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Why can’t people RSVP properly for goodness’ sake?—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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