ABORIGINAL Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of aboriginal are endemic , indigenous , and native . While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region. // the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Q: When is it sensible to use 'endemic' instead of 'aboriginal'?

Although the words endemic and aboriginal have much in common, endemic implies being peculiar to a region. // a disease endemic in Africa

Q: Where would 'indigenous' be a reasonable alternative to 'aboriginal'?

The synonyms indigenous and aboriginal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When would 'native' be a good substitute for 'aboriginal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to aboriginal , native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it. // native tribal customs

aboriginal 1 of 2

adjective

ˌa-bə-ˈrij-nəl

Definition of aboriginal next

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin the aboriginal peoples of northern Alaska are known as Inupiats, which in their language literally means "real people"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aboriginal

2 of 2

noun

as in aborigine

a member of the first people to inhabit a region they still speak the language of the region's aboriginals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word aboriginal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of aboriginal are endemic, indigenous, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When is it sensible to use endemic instead of aboriginal?

Although the words endemic and aboriginal have much in common, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

Where would indigenous be a reasonable alternative to aboriginal?

The synonyms indigenous and aboriginal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When would native be a good substitute for aboriginal?

While in some cases nearly identical to aboriginal, native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of aboriginal

Adjective

Progress has been slowest in Taiwan, where the pro-immigrant movement was overshadowed by stronger movements concerned with protecting jobs, increasing respect for aboriginal communities, and asserting Taiwan’s separate identity from China. —

Erin Aeran Chung, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021 Some aboriginal cultures saw the eclipse as an amorous encounter between the sun and the moon. —

Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Noun

These people are too far away to show a direct link between them and the Clovis in such a way that indicates the Clovis being the aboriginals of South America. —

Adam Rutherford, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017 The students paddled and portaged through the park, following the routes once traveled by aboriginals and French-Canadian voyageurs. —

Daily Southtown, 30 Aug. 2017 See all Example Sentences for aboriginal