alien 1 of 3

Definition of aliennext

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
Setting a standard Spielberg revolutionized the way Americans think about alien life. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Steven Spielberg’s latest alien opus topped the box office both internationally and domestically this weekend. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 June 2026
Noun
Galitzine is taking on the iconic role of Adam Glenn, an exiled alien on Earth who learns that the domineering villain Skeletor is terrorizing his home world of Eternia. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026 In a year, LiPfe explants rebuilt themselves into alien-like translucent orbs with a large red cellular mass at their core. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for alien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien
Adjective
  • Minsch added that Switzerland’s reliance on highly qualified foreign workers, especially in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology and healthcare.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 June 2026
  • The State Department has designated Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization.
    Christian Martinez, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • That's nice, but also irrelevant if the debtor is not resident in one of those states (and maybe not even then).
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • No one wants to think about being replaced; no one wants to feel irrelevant in their own lives.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he’s gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that’s hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.
    Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he's gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that's hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Mackinac National Park was established in 1875, but was deemed too expensive for the national government to maintain, so custody was later transferred to the state of Michigan, and has since become Mackinac Island State Park.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
  • Anthony was immediately taken into custody and later transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Pack Unit near Navasota to begin serving his sentence.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • As the name suggests, the night was centered around facilitating deep conversations between strangers, a task much easier when phone usage is kept to a minimum, event organizers said.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
  • Just after 9 o’clock that night in March 2025, a hooded stranger emerged from the dark, came up behind the group that had just left the gym, pulled a gun and opened fire.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to the home’s actual dimensions, the doorway (which didn’t exist when the family moved in) should dead-end to an external wall; instead, when Navidson opens the door, there’s a narrow hallway nearly ten feet long inside.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026
  • Simplifi meets rigorous security certifications, such as SOC 2, which are part of a comprehensive external audit that assesses the security, confidentiality and privacy of a program’s data.
    Amy DeYoung, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Rank said perspectives on the American Dream have soured as people’s ability to achieve it has become ever more difficult over the last 50 years.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • The launch of the iPhone was also a period that marked a fleeting but powerful alliance between Google and Apple, before the relationship soured over Google’s decision to pursue its own line of smartphones.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Lula also pushed back against Washington’s concerns over China’s expanding economic footprint in Latin America, arguing that the United States has ceded ground through inaction.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
  • Our research found growing concern that organizations are ceding entry-level work to AI systems while reducing opportunities for junior talent to build critical thinking, judgment and interpersonal skills over time.
    Jennie Glazer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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