monopolize
muh-NOP-uh-lyz
/məˈnɒpəˌlaɪz/
To obtain exclusive possession or control of; to keep entirely to oneself.
Often implies an unfair or aggressive taking over of a resource, conversation, or someone's time.
The story behind the word. The word originates from the Greek 'monopolion', meaning 'exclusive sale' (from 'monos' meaning alone/single, and 'polein' meaning to sell). It entered English as an economic term for companies that controlled an entire market. Over time, it became a metaphor for anyone who selfishly takes over a conversation, a room, or your attention.
Word relationships
- dominate: Dominate means to have power or influence over others, while monopolize specifically means to take exclusive control so that others cannot participate.
- corner: Corner is a financial term for buying up a market, whereas monopolize is used more broadly for attention, time, and space.
- share: Share is to distribute or let others participate, the opposite of monopolizing.
- distribute: Distribute means to spread out control or resources among many.
Commonly confused with
- engross: Engross means to capture someone's interest fully (e.g., 'an engrossing book'), while monopolize implies a forceful taking over of that interest.
Word family
- monopoly (noun): The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.
- monopolization (noun): The act of obtaining exclusive control.
Collocations
- monopolize attention
- monopolize the conversation
- monopolize resources
Example sentences
- "These apps are engineered to monopolize your attention, leaving you with no time for real-world interactions." A critique of modern social media design.
- "She tended to monopolize the conversation, speaking for hours without letting anyone else get a word in." A description of a difficult social interaction.
Memory hook
Think of the board game Monopoly, where the goal is to own everything and leave nothing for anyone else. Own it all, share with none.
When not to use
Do not use if someone is simply sharing or taking a turn; it requires complete, exclusive dominance.
Fun facts
- The board game Monopoly was originally designed by Elizabeth Magie in 1903 to demonstrate the negative aspects of land monopolies.
Related words
Explore more words
monopoly, dominate, usurp, possessive, antitrust, exclusivity
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