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

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Recent Examples of national

Adjective

In 1964, 115,000 people from 119 American cities participated in a national home visit day where Black Catholic families invited white visitors into their homes. —

Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Jan. 2025 Perry played for two national championship teams at Alabama, in 2011 and 2012. —

Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

One difference in the second term is Donald Trump owes his victory in 2024, at least in part, to Elon Musk and other tech supporters who favor admitting more high-skilled foreign nationals and oppose government overregulation of businesses. —

Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Federal agents and Broward County officers met Mirasol, a 34-year-old Philippines national, as the Symphony of the Seas returned to Port Everglades on March 3. —

Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for national

Recent Examples of Synonyms for national

Adjective

Jay Weaver Miami Herald 305-376-3446 Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America.

Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
Trinity Metro received a $25 million federal grant for the project on Jan. 10.

Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025