: of, relating to, or characteristic of South Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including all or some of the following countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives) or its people
plural South Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of South Asia
2
: a person of South Asian descent
Examples of South Asian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 June 2026
This restaurant, like so many recent high-profile openings, is part of the genuinely thrilling wave of South Asian restaurants arguing for regional precision, pushing back against decades of commodity Indian cuisine, the culture- and geography-flattening tikka masalas and garlic naans.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Kumar grew up in Singapore and later trained in Mexican cuisine under Rick Bayless, while Mohajir was born in India, raised in Qatar and built his career in Chicago’s South Asian dining scene.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
For millions of South Asian, Black American, Persian, Latino, West and East African, and European Muslims, the app bridges the linguistic gap.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 May 2026
Like its South Asian cohort Bangladesh, apparel and textiles are Sri Lanka’s top export, representing 44 percent of goods shipped out of the country.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Nadar herself, who has continued to grow the museum into one of the most important nodes in the South Asian art ecosystem.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
The country imports much of the precious metal, which holds tremendous significance for the South Asian country and is viewed as something that can bring good fortune and build generational wealth.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
The campaign signs, located along Elkhorn Boulevard near Highway 99, were tagged with the same anti-Arab and anti-South Asian slur.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
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Adjective
In doing so, Ali and Shaikh became the first two South Asian actors to make the show’s celebrity cameo appearance together.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 June 2026
This restaurant, like so many recent high-profile openings, is part of the genuinely thrilling wave of South Asian restaurants arguing for regional precision, pushing back against decades of commodity Indian cuisine, the culture- and geography-flattening tikka masalas and garlic naans.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Kumar grew up in Singapore and later trained in Mexican cuisine under Rick Bayless, while Mohajir was born in India, raised in Qatar and built his career in Chicago’s South Asian dining scene.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
For millions of South Asian, Black American, Persian, Latino, West and East African, and European Muslims, the app bridges the linguistic gap.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 May 2026
Like its South Asian cohort Bangladesh, apparel and textiles are Sri Lanka’s top export, representing 44 percent of goods shipped out of the country.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Nadar herself, who has continued to grow the museum into one of the most important nodes in the South Asian art ecosystem.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
The country imports much of the precious metal, which holds tremendous significance for the South Asian country and is viewed as something that can bring good fortune and build generational wealth.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
The campaign signs, located along Elkhorn Boulevard near Highway 99, were tagged with the same anti-Arab and anti-South Asian slur.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“South Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20Asian. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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