colonist
noun
Paige Embry 
Usage of Colonist and Colonizer
Colonist and colonizer both have meanings closely tied to the word colonialism in its use referring to domination of a foreign people or area. Colonist, which comes directly from the noun colony, is the more common—and usually more neutral—term. Colonizer, which comes from the verb colonize, is used especially in contexts in which the exploitative nature of colonialism is being discussed or evoked; in phrases like "colonizer mindset/mentality" it implies a benefit from or even active participation in that exploitation.
Synonyms
Examples of colonist in a Sentence
Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
The Wampanoags continue to fiercely defend the ponds that fed their ancestors while seeking to reclaim their indigenous values and land taken from them after European colonists arrived in the 17th century.
—Mary Forgione, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Elon Musk’s dumbest idea is to send human colonists to Mars, columnist Michael Hiltzik argues.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Set between the events of Scott’s original Alien film and director James Cameron’s 1986 sequel Aliens, Alien: Romulus follows a group of young mining colonists who are desperate to leave their dreary planet to seek a brighter future.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for colonist 
Dictionary Entries Near colonist
Cite this Entry
“Colonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colonist. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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colonist
noun
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