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

Wallace played Mary, the mother of Barrymore’s Gertie, Robert MacNaughton’s Michael and Henry Thomas’s Elliott, who finds the alien E.T. and protects him in their home. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 2 May 2025

Possessing no eyes, no mouth and no face, with an almost alien lurching gait, that nightmarish figure will reappear every so often, its return always upsetting and unexplained. —Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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

Two Mexican citizens were arrested at the beach where the boat overturned and were charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain, one complaint shows. —Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 7 May 2025

Jesus Ivan Rodriguez-Leyva and Julio Cesar Zuniga-Luna were arrested on the scene Monday and charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025