NATIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'native' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal , endemic , and indigenous . While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it. // native tribal customs

Q: When can 'aboriginal' be used instead of 'native'?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region. // the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Q: In what contexts can 'endemic' take the place of 'native'?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region. // a disease endemic in Africa

Q: When might 'indigenous' be a better fit than 'native'?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere. // indigenous plants

native 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnā-tiv

Definition of native next

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crude

being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining diamonds in their native state are not the bright, flashy gems that one might imagine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing a native energy and ambition that would allow him to rise above his humble beginnings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

native

2 of 2

noun

as in resident

a usually longtime resident of a locality the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in aborigine

a member of the first people to inhabit a region the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of native

Adjective

Today, efforts to curb their population and protect native wildlife are tangled in this complex legacy. —

The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024 Ovechkin’s advance on Gretzky continues There has been no secret to the unexpected 8-2-0 start by the Washington Capitals, who are playing this season without long-time offensive force T.J. Oshie while the Warroad native deals with a career-threatening back ailment. —

Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024

Noun

Tim Rogers, a Denver native, was riveted by media coverage of the arriving migrants. —

Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024 The Alien Enemies Act allows the president to detain, relocate or deport the natives and citizens of a country considered an enemy of the United States during wartime. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for native

Recent Examples of Synonyms for native

Adjective

Taiwan has responded by moving to shore up its defense, including by marginally raising its military budget, extending compulsory service from four months to one year and developing new indigenous weapons platforms, such as attack submarines.

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
At the time, the story was dramatized and used to stoke hatred towards America’s indigenous populations.

Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024