monopolize

/məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/

//məˈnɒpəlʌɪz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"monopolize" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“monopolize” is an uncommon English word, ranked #54,949 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#54,949
frequency rank, English
10
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To have a monopoly on something.

Key facts for monopolize
PropertyValue
Headwordmonopolize
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/
Letters10
Frequency rank#54,949
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “monopolize” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). monopolize lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for monopolize is 10 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/. Corpus data places it at rank #54,949 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

The misspelling generator found no plausible variants for monopolize, since its letter sequence doesn't invite the usual edit-distance slips. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From monopoly + -ize. The correct English form is monopolize, spelled M-O-N-O-P-O-L-I-Z-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To have a monopoly on something.
  2. 2
    To dominate or to get total control of something by excluding everyone else.

Etymology

From monopoly + -ize.

Synonyms

hogcornertake overdominate

This word in other languages

acaparar(Español)monopoliser(Français)beherrschen(Deutsch)monopolizar(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "monopolize"?
"monopolize" is spelled M-O-N-O-P-O-L-I-Z-E. The IPA pronunciation is /məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/.
What does "monopolize" mean?
As a verb, "monopolize" means: To have a monopoly on something.
How do you pronounce "monopolize"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "monopolize" is /məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "monopolize"?
From monopoly + -ize. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “monopolize”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is M-O-N-O-P-O-L-I-Z-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /məˈnɒpəlʌɪz/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list