NATIONAL Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'national' distinct from other similar nouns?

The words citizen and subject are common synonyms of national . While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state. // American nationals working in the Middle East

Q: When can 'citizen' be used instead of 'national'?

The synonyms citizen and national are sometimes interchangeable, but citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people. // the rights of a free citizen

Q: In what contexts can 'subject' take the place of 'national'?

The words subject and national can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch. // the king's subjects

national 1 of 2

adjective

ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of national next

as in federal

of or relating to a nation played the home team's national anthem before the start of the soccer game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

national

2 of 2

noun

as in citizen

a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it recommended that foreign nationals living in the region evacuate immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word national distinct from other similar nouns?

The words citizen and subject are common synonyms of national. While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

When can citizen be used instead of national?

The synonyms citizen and national are sometimes interchangeable, but citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

In what contexts can subject take the place of national?

The words subject and national can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of national

Adjective

After the election, it’s typically stopped by a chorus of people (paid by your tax dollars) who jump up and yell that government provides public safety and national defense, therefore cuts to government spending will kill us all. —

Susan Shelley, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2025 That is, of course, an appropriate remark, particularly for a governor with national ambitions. —

Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

Noun

Indian nationals received 72% of approvals in 2023. —

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 What To Know Fernando-Perez, a Guatemalan national who entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and location, had his first run-in with Massachusetts law enforcement in 2005, according to ICE. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for national

Recent Examples of Synonyms for national

Adjective

By mid-January, Drake's attorneys dropped those motions and filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against UMG, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.

— Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
Without their clearance, the officials will not be allowed to access classified information or enter federal facilities.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025