Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of extraneous are alien, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," 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

How do alien and foreign relate to one another, in the sense of extraneous?

Alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

Where would extrinsic be a reasonable alternative to extraneous?

The words extrinsic and extraneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can foreign be used instead of extraneous?

While in some cases nearly identical to extraneous, 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 extraneous And dissection of a batting order can be extraneous. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 Basinger finds the idea to be extraneous. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025 Most of its tweaks, apart from the ones made to Snow White, are superfluous; the film nips and tucks set pieces while padding its nearly two-hour run time with extraneous songs and dialogue. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025 While the series may ultimately feel extraneous to anyone already well-aware of terms like cyberbullying and the manosphere, its technical scope is impressive and purposeful, while its persistent empathy helps the ending feel more like a consoling hug than an outraged admonishment. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extraneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extraneous
Adjective
  • They’re beautifully designed and thoroughly approved—but quickly irrelevant.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Wherever Detroit falls in the standings should be irrelevant Friday, though.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The team was able to remove the external support in October and added a dental acrylic covering over the gap in the bone until late March.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But these laws have not historically extended to child influencers and social media stars — leaving the influencer space largely free of guidelines and any external accountability.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This refers to a call spread where the in-the-money call has the same extrinsic value as the out-of-the-money call.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
  • And that is not something extrinsic, imposed by regulation or taxation, but inherent to the way the company conceives of itself, its ownership structure, its governance, its performance metrics, its finances — everything.
    IESE Business School, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Lauren Heller Since Sagittarians are willing to try anything once, the Fire sign resembles Lauren's adventitious persona.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.
    Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Adjective
  • Similarly, an accidental executor can be the trustee of a revocable trust after the grantor has passed away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What followed was part social experiment, part accidental soul-baring, and slightly more fun than doomscrolling solo.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extraneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extraneous. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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