Synonyms of alien

alien 1 of 3

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən 

1

as in foreign

being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own

they were careful to learn of any alien business customs before trying to expand overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foreign
• international
• imported
• nonnative
• external
• introduced
• multicultural
• exotic
• naturalized
• overseas
• multinational
• transplanted
• foreign-born
• multilateral
• nonindigenous
• strange
• bizarre
• distant
• multiculti
• outlandish
• far-off
• remote

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• domestic
• native
• local
• indigenous
• endemic
• aboriginal

2

as in irrelevant

not being a vital part of or belonging to something

it's completely alien to her nature to wish evil of anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irrelevant
• foreign
• external
• adventitious
• extrinsic
• accidental
• extraneous
• supervenient
• exterior
• unnecessary
• inapplicable
• immaterial
• outside
• insignificant
• nonessential
• unessential

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inherent
• intrinsic
• innate
• congenital
• internal
• basic
• interior
• inbred
• inside
• necessary
• essential
• deep-seated
• inborn

alien

2 of 3

verb

1

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring

such angry outbursts will rapidly alien any friends you might possibly have left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• sour
• infuriate
• alienate
• estrange
• outrage
• sever
• disaffect
• annoy
• enrage
• disgruntle
• antagonize
• irritate
• bother
• disappoint
• aggravate
• divide
• split
• separate
• bug
• embitter
• dissociate
• enflame
• disunite
• rile
• disillusion
• incense
• roil
• rankle
• vex
• inflame
• madden
• sunder
• irk
• exasperate
• envenom
• unyoke
• uncouple
• unlink
• break up
• pique
• grate
• disenchant
• chafe
• gall
• nettle
• peeve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reconcile
• appease
• placate
• disarm
• conciliate
• ingratiate
• pacify
• endear
• propitiate
• mollify

2

as in to transfer

to give over the legal possession or ownership of

the couple plans to alien the adjoining house lot to their eldest son

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transfer
• cede
• convey
• relinquish
• deed
• assign
• alienate
• pass (down)
• lend
• donate
• dispose of
• bequeath
• leave
• lease
• loan
• grant
• rent
• make over
• present
• will
• move
• transmit
• surrender
• hand down
• contribute
• entrust
• turn in
• vest
• pass
• bestow
• trust
• confer
• commit
• turn over
• hand over
• commend
• yield
• release
• deliver
• intrust
• consign
• let

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

alien

3 of 3

noun

as in stranger

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stranger
• nonresident
• foreigner
• outsider
• outcast
• nonnative
• outlander
• pariah
• wanderer
• drifter
• transient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• familiar
• native
• friend
• intimate
• pal
• buddy
• chum
• partner
• comrade
• fellow
• acquaintance
• confidant
• resident
• companion
• associate
• citizen
• colleague
• mate
• peer
• inhabitant
• cohort
• hearty
• crony
• hobnobber
• habitant

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

Recent Examples of alien

Adjective

His grandfather Jacques Perrin had switched to organic farming in the 1950’s, when the concept was still alien to neighbors. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

Regardless of the true nature of K2-18b, the new results show how using the JWST to survey other worlds for clues of alien life will guarantee that the next years will be thrilling for astrobiologists. —Daniel Apai, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

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

Noun

The psychiatrist had advised her not to specifically describe the aliens. —Elif Batuman, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

The game's official website promises a variety of Prospectors to play as, with assets showing what looks like a brutal four-armed brawler and an insectoid-looking alien that can turn invisible. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2025