as in foreign
being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own
nonnative customs that made the recent immigrants stand out in their new country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stranger
a person who is not native to or known to a community
the problems encountered by a nonnative after moving into a close-knit community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonnative
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Typically, nonnative species are introduced to areas accidentally through cargo or escapes from captivity.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Erie Canal and its adjacent feeder rivers and reservoirs likely enabled two voracious nonnative species, the Atlantic sea lamprey and alewife, to enter the Great Lakes ecosystem.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The eel, along with other invasive species, are gaining more of a foothold in the southeastern United States, causing concern among resource and wildlife managers, along with state and local agencies tasked with minimizing adverse effects of nonnative plants and animals.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Some states began killing the nonnative swans over the animal welfare groups’ objections.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Four nonnative tick species have been identified in the state in recent years.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
If the fear is that foreigners are coming here to take our jobs and ruin beloved American traditions, there are plenty of nonnative artists to grouse about.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Typically, nonnative species are introduced to areas accidentally through cargo or escapes from captivity.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Erie Canal and its adjacent feeder rivers and reservoirs likely enabled two voracious nonnative species, the Atlantic sea lamprey and alewife, to enter the Great Lakes ecosystem.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The eel, along with other invasive species, are gaining more of a foothold in the southeastern United States, causing concern among resource and wildlife managers, along with state and local agencies tasked with minimizing adverse effects of nonnative plants and animals.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Some states began killing the nonnative swans over the animal welfare groups’ objections.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Four nonnative tick species have been identified in the state in recent years.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonnative
Adjective
-
Unlike in previous crises, Cuba’s regime lacks foreign partners that can step in to help, according to Robert Munks, head of Americas research at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The center said most of the suspects were Syrian or Iraqi, though there were other foreign nationals from Europe as well as Australia, Canada and the United States, among other countries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This Valentine’s Day, Ben Smith and Kelly Dennis will profess their love for each other — and New York City — in front of loved ones, strangers and possibly Batman.—
Andrea Sachs,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
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But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Around 450 houses have now been sold in the town, transforming the community, where the most popular properties with foreigners are those with hillside views.—
Maureen Ohare,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The relationship between Icelanders and their literature and language can seem to foreigners a little insane.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Theater artist James Ortiz voiced the character in the upcoming project and served as the lead puppeteer for the alien, who is very much the second lead to Ryan Gosling’s Ryland Grace.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Stuck in the dirt, the hexagonal silver node looked like a device an alien could have planted.—
Lauren Steele,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonnative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnative. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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