as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants a small island populated only by woodland creatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 populate Norfolk Island and Cocos Island A number of other Australian territories were barraged with tariffs, including Norfolk Island with a population of nearly 2,000 people; Cocos Island, with a population of just 544, and Christmas Island which is populated by 1,692 people. Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025 Nico Gonzalez and Manuel Ugarte will be the young pups in midfields largely populated by players in their thirties. Carl Anka, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Instead of big-name free agents and superstars, the roster was populated with up-and-coming talent including eccentric first baseman Triston Casas, ultra-intense budding superstar Jarren Duran and ascending ace Brayan Bello. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 The board should prioritize avoiding cuts in the classrooms, Fusco said, especially since teachers faced layoffs last year regardless of how populated their schools are. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for populate

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Populate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on populate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!