Meaning & use
monopolies
Last updated
“monopolies” is a form of “monopoly”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Situations in which one company or seller controls all or nearly all of a market, so buyers have no real choice.
Grammar: Plural countable noun; the singular is "monopoly". Use it with plural verbs: "Monopolies are illegal."
Patterns
- monopolies in something
- create monopolies
- break up monopolies
- a market dominated by monopolies
The new law was designed to stop large firms from creating monopolies in the energy market.
Economists argue that monopolies often lead to higher prices and fewer choices for customers.
Regulators broke up several monopolies in the telephone industry during the 1980s.
nounpluralbusinesslaw
Exclusive rights or complete control over the supply of a product or service, often given by a government.
Grammar: Plural countable noun; often used with "on" or "over" to show what is controlled.
Patterns
- monopolies on something
- monopolies over something
- grant monopolies
- hold monopolies
For years, state-owned companies held monopolies on electricity and water supply.
The government granted monopolies to a few firms to encourage investment in the railway.
Critics say these legal monopolies keep prices artificially high.
nounpluralfigurative
Instances of a single person or group having complete control of something, such as a conversation or a resource.
Grammar: Plural countable noun; used figuratively, often with "on".
Patterns
- monopolies on something
- have a monopoly on something
The two sisters seemed to have monopolies on their parents' attention.
In that office, a few senior staff had monopolies on the best projects.
Word forms
| singular | monopoly |
|---|
Common combinations
- natural monopolies
- Water and electricity networks are often described as natural monopolies.
- break up monopolies
- Antitrust authorities may break up monopolies that harm competition.
- create monopolies
- Mergers between big rivals can create monopolies overnight.
- legal monopolies
- Patent laws give inventors temporary legal monopolies.
- monopolies on something
- Some media companies have monopolies on local news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cartels
- A cartel is a group of separate companies that agree to fix prices or limit supply, while a monopoly is one dominant seller; use "cartel" when several firms act together.
- trusts
- In American business history, "trusts" were large combinations that controlled whole industries; "monopoly" is the more general modern term.
- oligopolies
- An oligopoly is a market controlled by a small number of sellers, not just one; use it when a few big firms dominate.
Opposites
Word family
- monopoly noun
- The singular form: complete control of a market by one seller.
- monopolist noun
- A person or company that has or seeks a monopoly.
- monopolistic adjective
- Describing a market or behavior that tends toward monopoly.
- monopolize verb
- To take complete control of something, such as a conversation or market.
- monopolization noun
- The act of gaining complete control of a market or activity.
Commonly confused: monopolies or monopoles?
monopolies vs monopoles
"Monopoles" are single magnetic poles or isolated poles in physics, not business markets. They sound similar but belong to a different subject.
Practice
Which sentence uses "monopolies" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Monopolies" is a plural noun meaning dominant market controls, so "break up the monopolies" fits. Option 2 treats it as a countable shopping item, option 3 uses a plural noun with a singular verb, and option 4 uses a noun where the verb "monopolizes" is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “monopolies”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.