national 1 of 2

adjective

ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce national (audio)
Definition of nationalnext
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

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 national
Adjective
That's another indication that the Chinese state is more interested in national power than the happiness of its people. —Vincent Ni, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 This is essentially permitting the board to side with interests, which may include those of China, against the best interests of America’s long-term national goals, effectively. —Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Belarus' state news agency Belta said the prisoners freed on Thursday included 14 foreign nationals from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, Britain and Germany. —Andrius Sytas, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 Since 2018, only citizens, tax residents, and nationals of Australia and Singapore have been exempt from this condition. —Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for national
Recent Examples of Synonyms for national
  1. federal
  2. citizen
  3. civil
  4. internal
  5. municipal
  6. public
  7. government
Adjective
  • More than 20 attorneys general have publicly defended James, accusing the administration of weaponizing federal power against a state official.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Over the past three years, more than 40 people have been charged with selling about 15,000 fake nursing school diplomas to South Florida students who paid more than $220 million to take shortcuts in their education, federal authorities say.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of federal
Noun
  • Lawmakers, government officials, the media, and general citizens continue to discuss last week's events, the ongoing effects, and potential ramifications.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Vilnius Reuters — Detonations of parcels carried by DHL and DPD in Europe in 2024 were organized and supervised by Russian citizens with ties to Russian military intelligence, Lithuania’s general prosecution service and criminal police said on Wednesday.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of citizen
Adjective
  • The agreements include a new science and technology partnership, civil nuclear cooperation and defense technology initiatives.
    — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Trump has repeatedly complained about James, who pursued a civil fraud case against him that resulted in a half-billion-dollar penalty.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of civil
Adjective
  • One — the Dodge Charger, both sedan and Charger Daytona coupe — offers both electric and internal combustion drivetrains.
    — Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • We are all shaped by internal drives, evolving goals, health needs and external circumstances.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of internal
Adjective
  • The city designation has been speculated to give greater municipal control of the area to Musk, who has regularly clashed with government regulators over the red tape SpaceX has had to navigate before launches.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Founded in 2008, Nations Group specializes in project development/finance solutions and project and construction management across collegiate, professional, municipal and commercial markets.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of municipal
Adjective
  • Kirk's death was met with bipartisan condemnation from public officials, as top lawmakers on both sides of the aisle raised alarm about the rising tide in acts of violence against public officials.
    — Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The lack of clarity is compounded by the fact that many of Turning Point’s largest vendors are limited liability companies registered in states that do not mandate public ownership disclosure.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • The movie hits a timely note as Pynchon is famous for sending up nefarious quasi-government organisations in his novels and director Paul Thomas Anderson continues that theme on screen.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • In Egypt, pro-government news outlets already have trumpeted the case as proof that Soliman was leading a secret Brotherhood cell in America.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of government

Browse Nearby Words

nation
national
national guard
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Cite this Entry

“National.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/national. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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