as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants
a small island populated only by woodland creatures
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Recent Examples of populate
Her seventh album, Middle of Nowhere, is a subtle redirection, a sequel to the stories about growing up in Texas that populated her 2010s work.
—
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The Listeners aired on the BBC nearly 18 months ago, but the Starz deal – struck in January – is evidence that American buyers still want to keep their services populated with British content.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Back when hickory trees populated the South, people would gather up the hickory nuts before animals scavenged them away.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Some 20 minutes away, three valleys over from Merthyr, Cwmcelyn Pond once fed water to the mines but is now a verdant nature reserve populated by ducklings, carp and anglers.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for populate
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The Listeners aired on the BBC nearly 18 months ago, but the Starz deal – struck in January – is evidence that American buyers still want to keep their services populated with British content.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Back when hickory trees populated the South, people would gather up the hickory nuts before animals scavenged them away.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Some 20 minutes away, three valleys over from Merthyr, Cwmcelyn Pond once fed water to the mines but is now a verdant nature reserve populated by ducklings, carp and anglers.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for populate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populate
Verb
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The effect is less about measurable temperature reduction and more about cultivating a breathable, moderated atmosphere—one that feels softer against the skin and easier to inhabit through long summer days.—
Nolan Lewis,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hypocrisy, not rail spindles or dog poop, is top of the play’s agenda, and to poke around that subject the playwright has peopled his work with a collection of character types.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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The characters who people the novel rise to speak for themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Populate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populate. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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