frontier 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of frontiernext
as in marginal
located at or near a border a frontier town with a reputation for vice and lawlessness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frontier

2 of 2

noun

ˌfrən-ˈtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
1
as in border
a region along the dividing line between two countries the Apaches were once feared on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico frontier

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in countryside
a rural region that forms the edge of the settled or developed part of a country Alaska has been called America's last frontier

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 frontier
Adjective
That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
Some of these complexities include balancing the portrayal of more diversity while acknowledging the discrimination that occurred within frontier history. — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026 Approaching the frontier The performance of Chinese AI models is also increasing. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frontier
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frontier
  1. marginal
  2. border
  3. countryside
  4. country
  5. backwater
  6. hinterland
  7. backcountry
  8. bush
Adjective
  • The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, has placed the Kansas City area under a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) of severe weather.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Digital enterprises learned how to scale experiences, transactions and services at near-zero marginal cost.
    — Motaz Agamawi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of marginal
Noun
  • Meanwhile, investigations into similar illnesses have been going on in 28 other states, including in Ohio, where people just across the Michigan border are also becoming sick.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • Separate rules might apply at borders or for people on certain non-immigrant visas.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • The King and Queen Camilla hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the kids at Highgrove House, the monarch's private home in the Gloucestershire countryside.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • But, alas, summer in the French countryside can also be expensive.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of countryside
Noun
  • Like previous host countries, Turkey is likely to use the summit to put its own security concerns and defense industry on the agenda.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • And, in a country struck by tragedy, this loss felt close to home.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Fully restored to its original glory, the mansion is located on the banks of the backwaters of Kerala, and is only accessible by boat from the mainland.
    — Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026
  • The movie goes from this weird, seedy love motel to the industrial backwaters, and these long walks and talks down empty streets.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Definition of backwater
Noun
  • Indeed, Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure have created major gas shortages that are bedeviling much of the Russian hinterland.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026
  • In Beach Enclave’s hinterland, there are plenty of enjoyable distractions, including a 4,500-square-foot golf complex, with putting green, courts for tennis, padel, and pickleball, fitness center, and games lounge.
    — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026
Definition of hinterland
Noun
  • Whether riding or hiking in the backcountry, our equipment and training is always limited.
    — Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026
  • Freeride’s inclusion represents one of the most significant additions to the Games, bringing a discipline long associated with the backcountry onto the Olympic stage for the first time.
    — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of backcountry
Noun
  • The butterfly weed was in full bright orangey-red bloom, and the elderberry bushes were loaded with big balls of white flowers.
    — Sheryl DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • At the same time, a big bull sable galloped out from behind a bush headed for the crest.
    — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026
Definition of bush

Browse Nearby Words

fronted
frontier
frontiers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frontier. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on frontier

Nglish: Translation of frontier for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frontier

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All