monopolize
/məˈnɒpəlʌɪz
/(also monopolise)
verb [with object]
1(Of an organization or group) obtain exclusive possession or control of (a trade, commodity, or service): they instituted press censorship and monopolized the means of communication...
- That's free enterprise, not a violation of antitrust law, which is defined as a group monopolizing trade or commerce through unreasonable methods.
- Company ships armed to fight pirates also defeated trading rivals and monopolized foreign trade.
- This will contain sworn affidavits from a number of the country's largest cement wholesalers claiming that a small group of cement groups monopolises the Mexican market.
Synonyms
corner, control, take over, gain control/dominance over, have sole/exclusive rights in, exercise a monopoly over
archaic engross
1.1Have or take the greatest share of: the bigger clubs monopolize the most profitable sponsorships and TV deals...
- A tiny fraction of the population monopolizes the lion's share of the resources that have been produced by the labor of the entire working population.
- Ultimately, a state of affairs in which the top 10 percent monopolize the lion's share of society's resources is incompatible with democratic forms of rule.
- With the two clubs monopolising the show in respective sections, the remaining participants had to rummage for the second best slots available.
Synonyms
dominate, take over, not let anyone else take part in;
not let anyone else get a word in edgeways
informal hog
1.2Get or keep exclusively to oneself: Sophie monopolized the guest of honour for most of the evening...
- It annoyed him to no end when I would do that, as he had now come to exclusively monopolize my time.
- He suggested that football could be ruined, for many, if a small group of clubs monopolised all the talent.
- Therefore, parasite chicks are reared alone, monopolizing all parental care from their host parents.
Synonyms
take up all the attention of, keep to oneself, have all to oneself, not allow to associate with others
informal tie up
Derivatives
monopolization
/ noun ...- A current issue in many countries is the monopolisation of media by powerful interests, whether private or public.
- Both trends resulted from states’ increasing monopolization and perfection of coercive means.
- Further deregulation will only lead to monopolization.
monopolizer
/ noun ...- The only instances where interrupting is acceptable are when you need make an exit, if the conversation becomes uncomfortable - or if a monopolizer is holding forth.
- They devote a chapter to states ruled by a monopolizer of power.
- It posed as the monopolizer of all truth, and therefore it condemned all free thinking.