native 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnā-tiv How to pronounce native (audio)
Definition of nativenext
1
as in indigenous
belonging to a particular place by birth or origin though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

native

2 of 2

noun

1
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
2
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

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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

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

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 native
Adjective
In addition to the in-person accolades, Liu also received video messages of support Thursday from fellow Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano, also an Oakland area native, and Golden State Warriors' star Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr. —Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 Dunmore, Hubbard and Angeli had enlisted Skylark, a marketing and creative agency run by Denver-area native Brendan Hannan, a former comms director for the Chicago Fire and VP of marketing for the LA Galaxy. —Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Before the movie’s big night, get to know the Indianapolis native whose love of kickboxing and K-pop helped elevate her to the big screen. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026 But her status as a London native initially gave Riley pause. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for native
Recent Examples of Synonyms for native
  1. indigenous
  2. inherent
  3. resident
  4. aborigine
  5. aboriginal
  6. natural
  7. intrinsic
  8. inhabitant
Adjective
  • The broader challenge for the industry is one of balance — ensuring that a booming market in international inbound production does not crowd out the indigenous storytelling that has defined Ireland’s global reputation.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Topics, including indigenous histories and pollution, now face potential removal.
    — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of indigenous
Adjective
  • Despite the delicate balance, there is also an inherent – even genetic – understanding.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The limits of standalone offshore trusts Standalone offshore trusts carry inherent constraints.
    — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of inherent
Noun
  • Kirk Nembhard was attending his first race, and the Mansfield resident was impressed by how the event was run.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Avichay Adraee told residents in Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Burj al-Barajneh, Ghadir perimeter and Shiyah to leave the area.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of resident
Noun
  • The Guanches were aborigines of the Canary Islands.
    — JP Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
  • The bill’s sponsors insisted their motives were not racist, although, one of the sponsors, state Sen. Scott Beason, later recorded himself referring to black people as aborigines while wearing a wire for the FBI.
    — Kyle Whitmire, al, 22 Nov. 2019
Definition of aborigine
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
Definition of aboriginal
Adjective
  • Head’s up—the property is designed to get you out of the rooms and enjoying Baja’s natural wonders, or even the property’s own amenities like the spa, infinity pool, and the open-air common area known as the living room (hammocks, rattan lounge pillows).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Ajimal noted that mills are exploring fibers like pineapple, banana, soy, ramie and silk blends—alternatives that offer various natural properties, promote recyclability and even biodegradability—though they’re being adopted at a much slower pace.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • Using a revenue multiple allows clubs to capture revenue from local media and the intrinsic value of each team.
    — Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • That’s kind of my intrinsic goal.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of intrinsic
Noun
  • The victims were found across the city, from the inner areas to the gates and roads leading out of the town, where the inhabitants fled in search of safety.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • As Morocco’s indigenous inhabitants, El Hammoumy continued, the Berbers are like other native peoples around the world who have been systematically dispossessed of their lands and heritage for centuries.
    — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of inhabitant

Browse Nearby Words

nationwide
native
natives
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Cite this Entry

“Native.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/native. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on native

Nglish: Translation of native for Spanish Speakers

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