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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of native

Adjective

That would be the announcement that Nvidia is developing a native GeForce NOW app for the Steam Deck. —

Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 In an August statement announcing that the plan would begin as early as spring, the wildlife agency said barred owls are native to eastern North America and moved westward in the 20th century. —

Adrian Rodriguez, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2025

Noun

Jones, a Charlotte native, was benched and ultimately released a few weeks later. —

Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025 Steve Lopez Steve Lopez is a California native who has been a Los Angeles Times columnist since 2001. —

Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for native

Recent Examples of Synonyms for native

Adjective

The tribe, as well as other indigenous nations, including the Kletsel Dehe Wintun and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, envision preserving an old trade route, as well as improving a recreational trail to attract hikers, sightseers and bikers from San Francisco to Sacramento.

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
In some instances, however, indigenous knowledge practices and science are in agreement.

Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Jan. 2025