monopolize

[ muh-nop-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, mo·nop·o·lized, mo·nop·o·liz·ing.

1. to acquire, have, or exercise a monopoly of.
2. to obtain exclusive possession of; keep entirely to oneself:

   Children monopolize one's time.

monopolize

/ məˈnɒpəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to have, control, or make use of fully, excluding others
2. to obtain, maintain, or exploit a monopoly of (a market, commodity, etc)

Derived Forms

• moˈnopoˌlizer, noun
• moˌnopoliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• mo·nopo·li·zation noun
• mo·nopo·lizer noun
• anti·mo·nopo·li·zation adjective
• over·mo·nopo·lize verb (used with object) overmonopolized overmonopolizing
• premo·nopo·lize verb (used with object) premonopolized premonopolizing
• unmo·nopo·lized adjective
• unmo·nopo·lizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopolize¹

First recorded in 1605–15; monopol(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

Pro sports lost me when big money teams began monopolizing, causing my beloved Pirates to fall by the wayside.

From Los Angeles Times

Rampant disinformation from the 2024 election reveals the limitations of that approach: monopolized conversations ultimately become one-sided.

From Salon

Trump, like other “conservatives” and Republicans, has also attempted — and mostly succeeded — in monopolizing the great symbolic power of the American flag, guns and the Christian cross.

From Salon

Section 2 states that any company which monopolizes or attempts to monopolize a market is guilty of a felony.

From Salon

Another activist group, the Thai Cannabis Future Network, staged a sit-in outside the Government House in Bangkok, accusing the health ministry’s doctors of colluding with politicians, using re-criminalization as a ploy to monopolize the industry.

From Salon

Related Words

• absorb
• exclude
• possess
• take over
• utilize