COLONIZED Synonyms: 8 Similar and Opposite Words

colonized

verb

past tense of colonize

as in populated

to supply with inhabitants believes that someday humans will be sent to colonize Mars

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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 colonized Rumors of Japan’s conversion to Islam Unlike much of Asia, Japan was never colonized. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 The waters around Sicily, which was colonized by the ancient Greeks and later conquered by the Romans around 240 BC, constituted one of the ancient world’s most important trade routes. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 No matter that the Brits, like the Bund, were battling Hitler—the Bundists knew that their allies were the colonized, marginal, and exploited. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 The tiny coral limestone atoll was colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia before becoming an independent republic in 1968. — Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 When ships are stationary for periods of days or weeks, the submerged parts of the vessel can become colonized by microbes, algae and other marine organisms. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 The European countries all once colonized the nations that are now members of the political bloc of 14 independent nations. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 The endeavor particularly focuses on the items held in the Netherlands, which colonized Indonesia between 1602 and 1945. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026 Indonesia has intensified efforts in recent years to track down cultural treasures scattered abroad through colonial-era collecting, theft and illicit trafficking, including from the Netherlands, which colonized Indonesia for centuries. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonized

Verb

The primary setting of the show is Manhattan Plaza, a subsidized apartment complex populated by artists and musicians, where Ali finds a sense of community while navigating a strained relationship with her mother, Jersey, and a budding romance.

— Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
The mini-Mozarts populated not only the garden of the composer's former house, but also his living quarters as well as several pavilions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of populated

Verb

As the Marathas worked to expand their empire, Durrani invaded India for a fourth time (1756–57), resulting in the Afghans establishing control in the Punjab, which was inhabited by Sikhs.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Archaeologists have uncovered tombs, theaters, baths, stadiums, and other remnants of the city, which was inhabited for more than 1,000 years.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of inhabited

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colonize

colonized

colonizer

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“Colonized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonized. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of colonized

verb

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