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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of national

Adjective

Despite the Wolverines being the reigning national champions, this year's squad was not close to last season's team. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025 There’s a case to be made that the win over TCU, which was coming off a national championship game appearance, helped launch Sanders’s stint in Boulder. —

Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

The Biden-era program allowed over half-a-million nationals from the four countries to live and work in the United States for a period of two years. —

Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025 His move to end automatic birthright citizenship for children whose parents are foreign nationals is being challenged by a lawsuit from a coalition of 18 states, and the American Civil Liberties Union also filed a separate legal challenge. —

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for national

Recent Examples of Synonyms for national

Adjective

The federal office has the power to rename geographic places within the United States.

— Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Bureaucratic foot-dragging on the federal level by both Mexico and the United States is directly to blame for the continuing profound flowing of pollution into the Tijuana River.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025