ALIEN Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'alien' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous , extrinsic , and foreign . While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability. // a practice totally alien to her nature

Q: In what contexts can 'extraneous' take the place of 'alien'?

The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part. // arguments extraneous to the issue

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extrinsic' instead of 'alien'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alien , extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature. // sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

Q: When could 'foreign' be used to replace 'alien'?

The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated. // techniques foreign to French cuisine

alien 1 of 3

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən

Definition of alien next

as in foreign

being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own they were careful to learn of any alien business customs before trying to expand overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irrelevant

not being a vital part of or belonging to something it's completely alien to her nature to wish evil of anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alien

2 of 3

verb

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring such angry outbursts will rapidly alien any friends you might possibly have left

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to transfer

to give over the legal possession or ownership of the couple plans to alien the adjoining house lot to their eldest son

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

alien

3 of 3

noun

as in stranger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alien different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

In what contexts can extraneous take the place of alien?

The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

When is it sensible to use extrinsic instead of alien?

While in some cases nearly identical to alien, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

When could foreign be used to replace alien?

The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

Example 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 alien

Adjective

School districts may not classify undocumented or immigrant students on the basis of their status or keep a list of students with and without alien registration numbers. —

Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have captured a criminal alien murderer weeks after Massachusetts authorities granted him parole for the 2006 murder of his pregnant girlfriend, state prison officials told local media. —

Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025

Verb

But even that description fails to capture what Yagi is after: those parts of us, precious and possibly hostile, which flower in darkness, disintegrate when described, and can be compared only to alien life-forms. —

Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Neanderthal to alien, and yet strangely well-suited for the modern era. —

Nick Remsen, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021

Noun

Over a powerful and compelling dissenting opinion joined by Justice John Marshall Harlan, the sole dissenter in Plessy v. Ferguson, Gray held that there is some level of birthright citizenship for the children of aliens. —

Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Acting on a tip, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday arrested four men on charges of conspiring to transport aliens in the United States, according to a criminal complaint filed by the agency in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. —

Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alien

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien

Adjective

Listen to this article When Vladimir Putin sent 100,000 Russian troops to his nation’s south-western border in early 2022, U.S. and foreign leaders expressed concerns about the potential for an invasion of Europe.

— Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
Idaho dairy farmers employ thousands of workers, many of them foreign born and undocumented, and are generally opposed to mandatory E-Verify.

— Rachel Spacek, Idaho Statesman, 16 Feb. 2025