NATIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'native' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal , endemic , and indigenous . While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it. // native tribal customs

Q: When can 'aboriginal' be used instead of 'native'?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region. // the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Q: In what contexts can 'endemic' take the place of 'native'?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region. // a disease endemic in Africa

Q: When might 'indigenous' be a better fit than 'native'?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

native 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnā-tiv

Definition of native next

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crude

being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining diamonds in their native state are not the bright, flashy gems that one might imagine

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as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing a native energy and ambition that would allow him to rise above his humble beginnings

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native

2 of 2

noun

as in resident

a usually longtime resident of a locality the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood

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as in aborigine

a member of the first people to inhabit a region the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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 native

Adjective

Performer and Baltimore native Brittney Spencer represented her hometown Wednesday during the big game, singing and dancing with Queen B on the field. —

Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024 Next Slide 6 / 7 Sui (SUI) Sui (SUI) Sui, the native cryptocurrency of the SUI Layer-1 blockchain, is designed for high transaction speeds and seamless smart contract execution. —

Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

After graduating from University of Texas in Austin with a BS in Radio-TV-Film/Performance, the Texas native made her onscreen debut in the title role of director Al Adamson’s 1977 cult horror film Nurse Sherri. —

Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024 The two Topanga natives pulled up to a grove with over a dozen Home Depot buckets of water, chicken wire, and a plastic bag of coast live oak seeds that had impatiently begun sprouting in their supervisor’s fridge. —

Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for native

Recent Examples of Synonyms for native

Adjective

According to Wired, Zuckerberg's property has caused tension with locals and indigenous groups on the island.

Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Both the Yurok and Alaska’s indigenous people rely heavily on the local environment for their food and livelihood.

Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024