Synonyms of national

national 1 of 2

adjective

ˈna-sh(ə-)nəl 

as in federal

of or relating to a nation

played the home team's national anthem before the start of the soccer game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• federal
• civil
• internal
• municipal
• public
• government
• democratic
• civic
• governmental
• domestic
• nationwide
• republican
• intestine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• international
• global
• foreign
• nonnational
• external
• alien

national

2 of 2

noun

as in citizen

a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it

recommended that foreign nationals living in the region evacuate immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• citizen
• resident
• subject
• freeman
• inhabitant
• native
• countryman
• compatriot
• nonimmigrant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• stranger
• foreigner
• immigrant
• noncitizen
• nonnative

Synonym Chooser

How is the word national distinct from other similar nouns?

The words citizen and subject are common synonyms of national. While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

When can citizen be used instead of national?

The synonyms citizen and national are sometimes interchangeable, but citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

In what contexts can subject take the place of national?

The words subject and national can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of national

Adjective

The numbers are crunched by Zillow, the national real estate firm. —Ryan Lillis, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Amonte Hiller wants the game, which will air on the Big Ten Network, to showcase the program in a stadium that in January was selected to host the NCAA women’s lacrosse national championship in 2026. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

So far, the DOJ has stated that the Salvadoran national is alive and secure inside the CECOT prison but has provided no material evidence. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

On March 30, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an additional 17 nationals from El Salvador were sent to CECOT, again alleging gang ties. —Ariana Figueroa, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025