COLONIZE Synonyms: 8 Similar and Opposite Words

colonize

verb

ˈkä-lə-ˌnīz

Definition of colonize

as in to inhabit

to supply with inhabitants believes that someday humans will be sent to colonize Mars

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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 colonize So much of the investment thesis is a bet on Musk, and his mission to build data centers in space soon and eventually colonize Mars, while trying to develop AI services to rival Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 The tiny coral limestone atoll was colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia before becoming an independent republic in 1968. — Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 When ships are stationary for periods of days or weeks, the submerged parts of the vessel can become colonized by microbes, algae and other marine organisms. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 The European countries all once colonized the nations that are now members of the political bloc of 14 independent nations. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonize

Verb

Rather than illustrating emotion, the music creates the emotional landscape the characters already inhabit.

— JD Linville, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
What character does is govern how a person understands and inhabits these qualities with humanity, with justice, with humility, with the appropriate lightness of not confusing oneself for one’s category.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of inhabit

Verb

This era, known as the Cambrian Explosion, saw the very first intricate ecosystems populated by early examples of many major animal groups appear in oceans.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026
The film’s tonal balance owes much to its bandit character, written to speak Singlish and cast, Yeo says, to give audiences an entry point among a story otherwise populated by immortals.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of populate

Verb

Today, this part of the South Side seems to be almost entirely peopled by Black families.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Ishaq has made a film peopled with women and boys who go beyond simple archetypes, setting joyful female solidarity against omnipresent conflict in a way designed to communicate with a broad demographic.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 May 2026

Definition of people

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colonists

colonize

colonized

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“Colonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonize. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of colonize

verb

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