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
• aggravate
• disappoint
• divide
• bug
• embitter
• split
• dissociate
• separate
• disunite
• rile
• incense
• disillusion
• 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
• assign
• deed
• pass (down)
• alienate
• lend
• donate
• dispose of
• bequeath
• leave
• lease
• grant
• rent
• make over
• present
• will
• move
• loan
• transmit
• surrender
• contribute
• hand down
• turn in
• vest
• entrust
• pass
• bestow
• trust
• confer
• commit
• turn over
• hand over
• commend
• yield
• release
• deliver
• consign
• let

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

alien

3 of 3

noun

as in stranger

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

• 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

Really, who wouldn’t want to see a battle between bows and arrows and a hyper-advanced alien species with a penchant for trophy hunting? —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025

Cast aside by her clan, an alien hunter (Elle Fanning) and her unlikely ally embark on a journey together to face a mutual adversary. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

In particular, artist Bryan Hitch's work with writer Mark Millar on The Ultimates made the Avengers cool and provided a useful blueprint for the eventual Marvel Cinematic Universe (from inventing the Chitauri aliens to drawing Nick Fury to look like Samuel L. Jackson). —Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2023

While on Earth, Thomas patents alien technology and gets very rich, with the intention of using it to build a vessel to bring water home. —Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2022

Noun

The two buffoons shave her head, chain her in the basement of a messy remote home and then accuse her of being an alien. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025

Ooh, this one is of a homicidal purple alien chainsawing my child’s head off. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 20 Oct. 2025