What is the verb for population?

There isn't one single verb that perfectly captures the meaning of "population." The verb you use depends on the specific action you're trying to convey.

Here are some options and their nuances:

* Populate: This verb means to fill a place with inhabitants. "The city is populated by people from all over the world."

* Inhabit: This means to live in a place. "Many animals inhabit the rainforest."

* Overpopulate: This means to have more people than a place can sustainably support. "The island is becoming overpopulated."

* Depopulate: This means to reduce the number of inhabitants in a place. "The war depopulated the city."

* Grow: This can refer to an increase in population over time. "The city has grown rapidly in recent years."

* Increase: This is a more general term for a rise in numbers. "The population of the country has increased significantly."

* Decrease: This refers to a decline in population. "The population of the town has been decreasing."

Ultimately, the best verb to use depends on the context of your sentence.