Definition of indigenousnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word indigenous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of indigenous are aboriginal, endemic, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," 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

In what contexts can aboriginal take the place of indigenous?

The synonyms aboriginal and indigenous are sometimes interchangeable, but aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When could endemic be used to replace indigenous?

While the synonyms endemic and indigenous are close in meaning, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When is it sensible to use native instead of indigenous?

The words native and indigenous can be used in similar contexts, but native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Example 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 indigenous Ungrafted vines and indigenous grapes The Canary Islands were never affected by phylloxera. Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 McGuire’s goal here is entertainment (achieved) but his empathetic treatment of the indigenous tribes the English come into contact and conflict with gives his novel a mournful air of tragedy. Chloe Schama, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026 The Kumeyaay indigenous people who live north of the San Diego River in Mission Valley are known as Ipai and those who live south of the river in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico are referred to as Tipai. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 The new Arawak Spa, named for the local indigenous tribe, occupies a breezy former villa with its own serenity pool, and herbal treatments inspired by the island’s first inhabitants. Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indigenous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indigenous
Adjective
  • Once an aboriginal title is recognized, its holders can collect formal and informal rents from those who seek to develop what is Indigenous land.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
  • The woman is also described as aboriginal, around 5 foot tall, wearing a black beanie, white T-shirt, and maroon hoodie.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Hungerstone is a delicious tribute to the inherent horrors of womanhood and the desperate and exquisite vulgarity of desire.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • But Swims buckled into the ballad, standing tall and belting through the song’s inherent ache.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s because the fruit bats that transmit the virus — among the largest bats in the world — are native to these regions.
    Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The black and white creatures are native to South America but have become an invasive species in places like Florida after owners who had them as pets release them into the wild.
    Neal Riley, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There is a kind of intrinsic magnet present in this journey, which become ours.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Published in the journal Science, the study points out that the efficient heat dissipation is fundamentally limited by intrinsic scattering mechanisms that cap the thermal conductivity of metallic materials such as copper to ~ 400 Watts per meter Kelvin.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • To now be on the platform that has been such an integral part of my upbringing is an honor.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Are United maintaining the record for the sake of it, or is there a sincere belief that the academy should be an integral piece of the club’s strategy?
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What terrifies Iran’s theocrats the most, the fear that eclipses all their fears, is the ability of the people at large to clearly see the essential realities of the present regime.
    Azadeh Moaveni, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
  • In recent years, neighborhoods like Harambee and Clark Square lost essential resources when Walgreens closed its locations on King Drive and West National Avenue in 2024.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Indigenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indigenous. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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