alien 1 of 3

alien

2 of 3

verb

alien

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alien different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

In what contexts can extraneous take the place of alien?

The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

When is it sensible to use extrinsic instead of alien?

While in some cases nearly identical to alien, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

When could foreign be used to replace alien?

The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

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 alien
Adjective
The big-eared, noise-sensitive aliens are invading Earth again with John Krasinski announcing A Quiet Place Part III, which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025 This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Verb
Invasion follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 As the icky Ick mutates from being a benign vine-like growth to a murderous alien entity, Hank might have a surprising, unexpected relationship with his student Grace (Malina Pauli Weissman) who just happens to be the daughter of Suvari’s Staci, his high school romance. Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025
Noun
But even that description fails to capture what Yagi is after: those parts of us, precious and possibly hostile, which flower in darkness, disintegrate when described, and can be compared only to alien life-forms. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Neanderthal to alien, and yet strangely well-suited for the modern era. Nick Remsen, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021 See All Example Sentences for alien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien
Adjective
  • Lai, a British national, stands accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces – a crime punishable by life in prison under the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing – and a separate sedition charge.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
  • In that email, Nelson charged five working groups, involving 40 faculty and staff, to make recommendations for changes in the divisions’s structure, foreign language instruction, and graduate programs.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The future of sales is about asking the questions that make your competitors' answers irrelevant.
    B.D. Dalton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Nearly half of teachers believe that the professional development courses offered or demanded by their schools are largely irrelevant.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In light of Collins recently being hospitalized for knee surgery, his fans were actually jarred and angered by an AI image of McCartney supposedly visiting him under far more dire circumstances.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Russia stood back when Azerbaijan reclaimed control of Karabakh in the September 2023 offensive, angering Armenia, which has moved to shed Russian influence and turn westward.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Washington’s deadlock has created a tectonic shift transferring power — and the locus for activity — back to the regions.
    Russell Hancock, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The Wolverines were also planning to transfer $6.1 million less to the school overall this year, while initiating a series of budget cuts that could save $10 million year-over-year, according to the Detroit Free Press.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As Hay might say, Atlas was a stranger who turned out to be good to meet.
    Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Hilarious Theories Go Viral The bewildering encounter quickly went viral, prompting fellow Redditors to offer their own humorous theories for the stranger's behavior.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Deep scaling is often more cost-effective than geographic expansion, leaving more cash for reinvestment rather than requiring external funding.
    Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Earlier in 2025, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry warned that the country was looking at the possibility of zero growth this year, in light of external pressures on its trade-dependent economy.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But like many other songs on the project, the memories are soured by the heartbreak that left more than just a bruise on the neck.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-212 advantage in the House of Representatives, and Democrats have been optimistic about their chances of retaking chamber majority in November 2026, particularly if Trump's approval ratings continue to sour.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Zelenskyy has said Kyiv will not cede any territory to Russia, will not abandon its NATO ambitions and will not allow any limitations on its armed forces.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying his country won’t cede that territory, and changing his position would require a massive amount of U.S. pressure on Ukraine, in essence making the U.S. a proxy for Russia.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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