Synonyms of indigenous

indigenous

adjective

in-ˈdi-jə-nəs 

1

as in aboriginal

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

the culture of the indigenous people of that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing

the drive to create that is indigenous to humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential
• native
• constitutional
• natural
• hereditary
• innate
• inbred
• constitutive
• ingrained
• inner
• inherited
• inborn
• immanent
• distinctive
• elemental
• fundamental
• basic
• engrained
• congenital
• internal
• hardwired
• characteristic
• ingrain
• built-in
• in one's blood
• peculiar
• interior
• deep-rooted
• typical
• normal
• habitual
• regular
• inveterate
• inmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• foreign
• alien
• extrinsic
• extraneous
• adventitious
• incidental
• accidental
• surface
• coincidental
• external
• acquired
• superficial
• exterior
• adscititious

Synonym Chooser

How is the word indigenous distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

In what contexts can aboriginal take the place of indigenous?

The synonyms aboriginal and indigenous are sometimes interchangeable, but aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When could endemic be used to replace indigenous?

While the synonyms endemic and indigenous are close in meaning, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When is it sensible to use native instead of indigenous?

The words native and indigenous can be used in similar contexts, but native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of indigenous

Lee, 42, was working with indigenous people in Ifugao, a province in the Northern region of Luzon, the Philippines main island, when he was repeatedly harassed and tailed by military troops. —Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025

In 2024, for example, while much was made of indigenous actor Lily Gladstone’s Best Actress nomination, the vast majority of Oscar nominees, 80 percent, were white. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025

Salmon were and continue to be at the core of California indigenous culture, both by providing an important food source and forming the foundation of many creation stories. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025

Krishna at Johns Hopkins University added that over time, India’s desire is to move away from its dependence on foreign arms and invest heavily in indigenous capabilities. —Seema Mody, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

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