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
The mythologies of the medical ass could blossom, like the oral folklore of a tribe allowed to retain its own myths without the colonizing interference of invaders.
—
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The creatures rapidly spread along the interconnected coastal highways of a changing world, colonizing new habitats just as the Age of Dinosaurs began around 252 million years ago.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
That 16th century term for Catholics became a 17th century term for Protestants, as Britain set about colonizing the Irish province of Ulster with Scottish Presbyterians.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Life only became complex, differentiated, and colonized the continental land on Earth a few hundred million years ago.
—Big Think, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonize
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The creatures rapidly spread along the interconnected coastal highways of a changing world, colonizing new habitats just as the Age of Dinosaurs began around 252 million years ago.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
That 16th century term for Catholics became a 17th century term for Protestants, as Britain set about colonizing the Irish province of Ulster with Scottish Presbyterians.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Life only became complex, differentiated, and colonized the continental land on Earth a few hundred million years ago.
—Big Think, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonize
Verb
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Visit the Indigenous Bribri community, which has inhabited Talamanca for thousands of years.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Tokara Leaf Warbler inhabits the Tokara Islands, located approximately 621 miles to the southwest.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The photos of those, and future submissions, will populate a gallery on the foundation’s website and will be highlighted on its social media platforms.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Within 24 hours of paying your invoice, your parking passes will populate in your Inter Miami CF App and Account Manager page.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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