as in settler
a person who settles in a new region
the first colonizers of Easter Island must have faced untold challenges
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Recent Examples of colonizer
Irish was cherished as part of the new state’s heritage, and as a marker of distinction from its former colonizer.
—
Big Think, 4 May 2026
To early European colonizers, sassafras appeared to be a medical miracle.
—Kari Traylor, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2026
Angola’s Portuguese colonizers were emboldened by 15th-century directives from the Vatican that authorized them to enslave non-Christians.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
According to the research, Hawaiian leaf-roller moths are among the most successful long-distance colonizers of any native Hawaiian animals.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonizer
Big Think, 4 May 2026
To early European colonizers, sassafras appeared to be a medical miracle.
—Kari Traylor, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2026
Angola’s Portuguese colonizers were emboldened by 15th-century directives from the Vatican that authorized them to enslave non-Christians.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
According to the research, Hawaiian leaf-roller moths are among the most successful long-distance colonizers of any native Hawaiian animals.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colonizer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonizer
Noun
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Many of these settlers’ descendants still live in Fredericksburg.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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One story states that Julius Mackie Washington Masingill, an early settler, then suggested naming the office after the hickory trees that grew in abundance in the area.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2026
Noun
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He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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That’s often the case — the pioneer may get the credit, but the first follower gets the glory.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Honey hunting became a popular pastime, as colonists tracked down wild colonies to harvest wax and honey like their ancestors back in Europe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
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An agreement adopted by the First Continental Congress and signed by all 53 delegates that urged colonists to boycott British goods.—
Justin Adams,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Noun
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When the French government that succeeded Napoleon grudgingly recognized Haitian independence in 1825, however, Haiti had to pay a heavy indemnity to the former colonial slaveholders, a burden that slowed the country’s economic development.—
Jeremy D. Popkin,
The Conversation,
28 May 2026
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Outside, there’s a private patio with stone walls, lush greenery and a colonial feel to the place.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colonizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonizer. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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