colonial 1 of 2

adjective

kə-ˈlō-nē-əl How to pronounce colonial (audio)
Definition of colonialnext
as in social
tending to group with others of the same kind colonial organisms

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

colonial

2 of 2

noun

as in settler
a person who settles in a new region European colonials who built coffee plantations in East Africa

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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 colonial
Adjective
The congregation dates back to the Dutch colonial period in the 1600s, according to the National Fund for Sacred Spaces. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 For instance, the extraction of gold in the early Spanish colonial era was not that different from extraction of rosewood by Chinese entrepreneurs in the 21st century. — Chenier Carpio Opua, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
That equity is not merely associated with chattel slavery, but also with African objects that were stolen during European colonial rule. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 Burbank’s environmental determinism was tangled with a settler-colonial impulse to imbue the wild landscape with Western ideals of control and organization to not only manage but also improve populations, in both plants and humans. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for colonial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonial
  1. social
  2. settler
  3. pioneer
  4. colonist
Adjective
  • His songs spanned from party anthems to deep social commentary.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Individualist societies typically focus on independence within social groups, encouraging personal expression, and are more accepting of differences — and are typically found in Western countries, according to studies.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of social
Noun
  • Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.
    — Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections in October after angering his fellow West Bank settlers by voting not to punish ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to serve in the military.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of settler
Noun
  • Summary Haley and Hanna Cavinder, pioneers of NIL, have successfully transitioned from influencers to founders, launching their own wellness brand, Go Two, and co-founding a tequila brand, Azucar.
    — Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Alila Ventana Big Sur resort is 51 years old, while the Post Ranch Inn sits on the former homestead of the Post pioneer family who settled in the region in the 1860s.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pioneer
Noun
  • In the sketch, Washington’s announcement prompts a skeptical colonist (David) to imagine a future leader who ignores the Constitution, uses the presidency for personal gain and seeks to remain in power.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Like much of the valley, Gilroy stands on land that was first occupied by the native Amah Mutsun, then taken over by Spanish colonists and later became Mexico.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of colonist

Browse Nearby Words

Colonel Blimp
colonial
colonials
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Cite this Entry

“Colonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonial. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on colonial

Nglish: Translation of colonial for Spanish Speakers

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