as in inhabited
to supply with inhabitants
a small island populated only by woodland creatures
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Recent Examples of populated
The spa Dubbed Lola’s Sanctuary, the spa, with its open-air cabanas or indoor treatment rooms, is reached by walking through an herb garden populated with lemongrass, hibiscus, and pandan.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
As in the real world, they’re populated by personalities that don’t neatly divide along a good-evil binary but are, instead, flawed yet lovable—to some other lovably flawed character, at least.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
The planet is the setting for an unlikely mix of sci-fi, magic, and fantasy, populated by a bizarre assortment of characters whose origins were usually determined by the out-there whims of toymakers — there really is no other way to explain Snout Spout.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
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
This is a twisted travelogue of sorts, each chapter devoted to a circle of hell populated by one group of sports gambling’s myriad losers.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
And the north of Australia makes the Sahara look positively populated.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
An advisory committee on vaccines newly populated by members who share Kennedy’s criticism of vaccines voted in December to recommend delaying when most babies begin to be vaccinated against the virus.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
But kids don’t stay kids forever, and as the students began to age out of competition, in 1990, Howard created a professional performing company called the Trinity Irish Dance Company, populated by former students not only from his school, but also other training programs as well.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
As in the real world, they’re populated by personalities that don’t neatly divide along a good-evil binary but are, instead, flawed yet lovable—to some other lovably flawed character, at least.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
The planet is the setting for an unlikely mix of sci-fi, magic, and fantasy, populated by a bizarre assortment of characters whose origins were usually determined by the out-there whims of toymakers — there really is no other way to explain Snout Spout.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
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
This is a twisted travelogue of sorts, each chapter devoted to a circle of hell populated by one group of sports gambling’s myriad losers.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
And the north of Australia makes the Sahara look positively populated.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
An advisory committee on vaccines newly populated by members who share Kennedy’s criticism of vaccines voted in December to recommend delaying when most babies begin to be vaccinated against the virus.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
But kids don’t stay kids forever, and as the students began to age out of competition, in 1990, Howard created a professional performing company called the Trinity Irish Dance Company, populated by former students not only from his school, but also other training programs as well.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populated
inhabited
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The Soutpansberg Mountains are a biodiversity hotspot and cultural gem, home to thousands of endemic species and thriving Venda communities who have inhabited the region for hundreds of years.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
History of Guana Beach This Atlantic peninsula of Florida was originally inhabited by the Timucua people for nearly 5,000 years.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Populated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populated. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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