1
as in colonists
a person who settles in a new region
settlers learning to live in peace with the natives
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2
as in immigrants
one that leaves one place to settle in another
in 1889 Jane Addams, in an effort to provide Chicago's latest wave of settlers with much-needed services, founded the city's first settlement house
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Recent Examples of settlers
At least 35 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers across the territory in 2026.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Creeping Charlie was first introduced by European settlers as a groundcover.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Mining attracted settlers to the region in the 1890s; tourism keeps the Mexican village alive today.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
In recent years, some of the settlers on those outposts have forced the expulsion and displacement of Palestinian communities following settler violence and harassment.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Named for the Kiawah people who called this island home when British settlers first arrived in 1670, Kiawah Island fronts the Atlantic with ten miles of beach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Also present on the land in the 1800s were the descendants of Spanish settlers.
—Anna Alejo, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lighthouse was attacked by Indians during the second Seminole War in July 1836, in which early settlers were driven out of the Miami area.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
James Stirling, setting out on the punitive expedition with about 25 police, soldiers, and other settlers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Creeping Charlie was first introduced by European settlers as a groundcover.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Mining attracted settlers to the region in the 1890s; tourism keeps the Mexican village alive today.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
In recent years, some of the settlers on those outposts have forced the expulsion and displacement of Palestinian communities following settler violence and harassment.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Named for the Kiawah people who called this island home when British settlers first arrived in 1670, Kiawah Island fronts the Atlantic with ten miles of beach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Also present on the land in the 1800s were the descendants of Spanish settlers.
—Anna Alejo, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lighthouse was attacked by Indians during the second Seminole War in July 1836, in which early settlers were driven out of the Miami area.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
James Stirling, setting out on the punitive expedition with about 25 police, soldiers, and other settlers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settlers
Noun
-
The 1774 Articles of Association, which urged colonists to boycott British goods.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Portugal and Germany in Southern Africa For much of the 19th century, Portuguese colonists in Angola and Mozambique were fewer in number and weaker in authority than those in the interior of South Africa.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While at CalTech, Elizabeth made lasting friendships, including with fellow Hungarian immigrants on the faculty.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The statewide figures correlate to declining birth rates nationwide, although other factors are in play locally, including in Los Angeles County, such as housing costs, a decline in immigration and aggressive federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Afrika Bambaataa, a man widely considered one of the main pioneers of hip-hop, died Thursday of prostate cancer in Pennsylvania, according to his lawyer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Afrika Bambaataa, a man widely considered one of the main pioneers of hip-hop, died in Pennsylvania of prostate cancer on Thursday, according to his lawyer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The first group sent to Costa Rica included migrants from Albania, Kenya, Morocco, China, India and Cameroon, in addition to eight people from Guatemala and four Honduran nationals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The administration has spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to third countries, many run by governments with poor human rights records.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 2024, a record 41,294 Hungarians emigrated, according to official statistics, bringing the total number of emigrants during Orbán’s years in power to more than 360,000.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
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The share of emigrants from ages 20 to 24 has doubled during Orbán’s time in office.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his reputation for hiring Jewish refugees may have influenced Elizabeth’s visit.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The agencies called on the international community to step up and sustain funding for lifesaving assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as well as support for Bangladeshi host communities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settlers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settlers. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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