monopolize

especially British, mo·nop·o·lise

[muh-nop-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

monopolized, monopolizing 

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)

Other Word Forms

• monopolizer noun
• monopolization noun
• antimonopolization adjective
• overmonopolize verb (used with object)
• premonopolize verb (used with object)
• unmonopolized adjective
• unmonopolizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopolize¹

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

Example Sentences

Major sponsors are still ubiquitous at the Games, where only Visa credit cards are accepted and Coca-Cola products monopolize the concession stands, but venues and fields of play have remained commercial-free.

From Los Angeles Times

But the task of depicting a future Los Angeles hasn’t been monopolized by fiction writers.

From Los Angeles Times

Schepple said, “We can spot the legalistic autocrats while they are still consolidating power because they have ambitions to monopolize power and tend to use the same toolbox of tricks.”

From Salon

On one side was Continental and Northwest, which claimed larger rival American Airlines had illegally lowered fares to monopolize certain markets.

From Los Angeles Times

If we fail to acknowledge this, AI risks becoming a tool monopolized by a wealthy elite, precipitating an "AI-enhanced technofeudalism" that deepens global inequality and consigns most of humanity to servitude.

From Salon

Related Words

• absorb 
• exclude 
• possess 
• take over 
• utilize