What does "colonize" mean?

To settle (a place) with colonists, and hence make (a place) into a colony.

What is a synonym for "colonize"?

Common synonyms include: accroach, adopt, anchor, appropriate, arrogate, assume.

//ˈkɑlənaɪz// verb

verb ·Moderate ·College level

Verb

1
To settle (a place) with colonists, and hence make (a place) into a colony. transitive
"When you are colonized by dangerous bacteria their presence in your body does no damage. You become a reservoir for those little stinkers."
2
settle as colonists or establish a colony (in) wordnet
3
To settle among and establish control over (the indigenous people of an area). transitive
"The administration finally sent a naval vessel to return the 368 survivors to the United States in 1864. This ended official efforts to colonize blacks."
4
settle as a colony; of countries in the developing world wordnet
5
To begin a colony or colonies. intransitive

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6
To intrude into and take over (the autonomy, experience, social movement, etc, of a less powerful person or group); to commandeer or appropriate. broadly, transitive
"What disservice would be done if issues regarding sexualities in organisations were side-lined by a heteronormative impetus to colonise queer theory?"