1
as in colonists
a person who settles in a new region
settlers learning to live in peace with the natives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 settlers
The Norse were Scandinavian Viking-era settlers who, led by Erik the Red from Iceland, established medieval farming colonies in southwestern Greenland around 985–986 CE, according to the Mariners' Museum and Park and other sources.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
The game eventually made its way to New England through English settlers, Moore explains.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
The settlers spoke a Polynesian language, practiced Polynesian customs, and left descendants who continue to.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Commonly framed and told histories of Indigenous women such as Pocahontas and Sacagawea, who are associated with famous expeditions by white English settlers in North America, are clear examples.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Whipple and settlers were the newcomers in Minnesota.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
From there, settlers quickly established a foothold by creating a makeshift cultural center at the site, putting on lectures, readings and exhibits.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Shows may incorporate some other Polynesian traditions, but still tie it back to Hawaii, like how the Old Lahaina Luau opens with a Tahitian dance to represent the Polynesian settlers who arrived in the Hawaiian archipelago.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
The game eventually made its way to New England through English settlers, Moore explains.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
The settlers spoke a Polynesian language, practiced Polynesian customs, and left descendants who continue to.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Commonly framed and told histories of Indigenous women such as Pocahontas and Sacagawea, who are associated with famous expeditions by white English settlers in North America, are clear examples.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Whipple and settlers were the newcomers in Minnesota.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
From there, settlers quickly established a foothold by creating a makeshift cultural center at the site, putting on lectures, readings and exhibits.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Shows may incorporate some other Polynesian traditions, but still tie it back to Hawaii, like how the Old Lahaina Luau opens with a Tahitian dance to represent the Polynesian settlers who arrived in the Hawaiian archipelago.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for settlers
Noun
-
From the days of colonists and pirates to the more modern era (of, say, bankers and lawyers servicing offshore corporations), its touristic charms have gone largely unappreciated.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Despite this, the edition offered by Goldin Auction was originally printed and distributed so that colonists could read the Second Continental Congress’ argument for separating from Great Britain in July 1776.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fleurijean said a similar fear is palpable today among Haitian immigrants in Springfield.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In Idaho, agents have changed their tactics, like smashing car windows and pushing for the mandatory detention of immigrants, according to previous Statesman reporting.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Salsa segments paid homage to icons like Héctor Lavoe and the Fania All-Stars, while reggaetón moments honored pioneers such as Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calderón.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Francesco Iorio, founder of Augmenta and one of the pioneers of generative design at Autodesk, works in an industry where visibility actively undermines trust.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This was bound to result in agent intrusions into homes and businesses, since there aren’t that many criminal migrants to fill such a quota each day.—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Since a surge in asylum-seekers and other migrants to Europe a decade ago, public debate on the issue has shifted and far-right parties have gained political power.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The hotel was underwritten by the local banana-growing elite as well as by Canarian emigrants who had made their fortunes in the Americas.—
Javier Montes,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
-
But while many Israeli emigrants have embarked on new lives in Cyprus, Canada and Thailand, according to DellaPergola’s analysis, few are prepared to speak publicly, citing a mistrust of the media and fear of anti-Israel sentiment.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Greece has long been a favored gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
America was the multicultural sanctuary that took in refugees like my parents by the tens of thousands and welcomed them into our land.—
Dr. Michael Good,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Settlers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/settlers. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
