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

Examples 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 national

Adjective

In no uncertain terms, economic discontent drove Latino men’s vote, said Clarissa Martinez de Castro, vice president of the Latino Vote Initiative for UnidosUS, a national Latino advocacy group whose social welfare arm, UnidosUS Action Fund, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. —

Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 Instead, Trump and Harris enter Election Day tied in the national RealClearPolitics polling average. —

W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

The Avon Marching Black & Gold (but in purple) from Indiana took first place last year in nationals. —

Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 23 Oct. 2024 But because Venezuela refuses to take back nationals who have emigrated to the U.S., ICE has to release them because of a federal court ruling that bars it from detaining migrants indefinitely. —

Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for national

Recent Examples of Synonyms for national

Adjective

When paired with the $7,500 federal tax credit, the base front-wheel-drive model delivers 319 miles of driving range for under $30,000.

Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The day after Simpson’s arrest last month, a federal complaint was filed against him.

Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024