alien 1 of 3

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
The blades of their swords clash in a confrontation that goes from elegantly choreographed to chaotic as the alien barges in. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 June 2025 The movie sees best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist, who may or may not be trying to take over the world. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 June 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
With Badlands set to closely follow the adventures of a young Predator hunter trying to prove himself, this feels like only the beginning for an on-screen expansion of these aliens' history and culture. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 June 2025 When Bruce returns later with some Girl Scout Cookies (samoas, which are obviously the best ones — non-negotiable!), Harry and Robert tease the alien by talking up Earth some more. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for alien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien
Adjective
  • Announced last week and signed by Trump on Tuesday, the order doubles tariffs from 25% to 50% on all metals imports to the U.S., with the president stating that the move will protect the U.S. steel industry amid a flood of cheaper foreign steel imports and weaker global demand.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 June 2025
  • Late 19th century newspapers depicted the spirit as a foreign, exotic drink, associated primarily with Russian immigrants who brought their drinking traditions with them.
    Time, Time, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is the myth of convergence, fueling concerns that AI will flatten the field, that strategy becomes irrelevant when everyone has access to the same intelligence.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • But freshness can be irrelevant at the box office for these ventures.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The move, which the governor said was necessary to increase collaboration and mentorship among civil servants, angered state workers and the labor groups representing them.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • Additionally, reports had indicated that President Xi was angered over the transaction since Hutchison did not ask for approval of the deal in advance.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • The provision outlines regulatory definitions and sets new rates related to making and transferring silencers.
    Morgan Kromer, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2025
  • Trump has proposed transferring the department's responsibilities to other agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Even people who have never seen the picture may know about its opening sequence, in which Drew Barrymore answers a phone call from a horror movie-loving stranger, which leads into the story's first diabolical kill.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
  • On his porch stand a boy and a girl he at first mistakes for strangers.
    Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The central idea for blended-wing aircraft is that fashioning a plane out of a single, wide, wing-like structure would reduce the area that touches external airflow, thereby reducing drag that holds a plane back.
    Calif. Senior Correspondent, Time, 12 June 2025
  • What the Fudan team achieved was an implant that worked without the external camera and without a power source.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
  • But in the years since, Democrats’ fortunes have soured in Idaho.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • In some ways, NASA has long been moving in this direction, beginning with initiatives ceding most launch services to private industry in the 1990s.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • The Denali Commission took on project management responsibilities in 2016 but ceded control to the BIA three years ago after the agency announced a $25 million grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
    Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 29 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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