Synonyms of endemic

endemic

adjective

en-ˈde-mik 

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

the fish is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native trout population

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indigenous
• aboriginal
• native
• autochthonous
• local
• domestic
• born
• regional
• original

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• introduced
• foreign
• exotic
• nonindigenous
• nonnative
• strange
• alien
• immigrant
• transplanted
• imported
• expatriate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word endemic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of endemic are aboriginal, indigenous, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might aboriginal be a better fit than endemic?

The words aboriginal and endemic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When would indigenous be a good substitute for endemic?

While in some cases nearly identical to endemic, 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

When is it sensible to use native instead of endemic?

In some situations, the words native and endemic are roughly equivalent. However, native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of endemic

The animals are not endemic to the island; Dutch settlers introduced them from Indonesia in the 17th century, possibly as pets. —Byrefael Kubersky, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025

These new varieties are made around the globe, from Kenya to Vietnam, each featuring ingredients endemic to the regions in which they’re made. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025

For a film about the claustrophobic survivalism endemic to deep-sea diving, Last Breath is oddly relaxed, a movie whose tension seems just as lost underwater as its subject. —Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025

The ensuing plot developments as the team travels around the world participating in robotics competitions strike both familiar and fresh beats, the former stemming from the standard tropes endemic to the genre and the latter from the unique circumstances involved. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025

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