autochthon

Definition of autochthonnext
as in aborigine
a member of the first people to inhabit a region the remains of a settlement once occupied by the island's autochthons are much older than previously thought

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for autochthon
Noun
  • The Guanches were aborigines of the Canary Islands.
    JP Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
  • The bill’s sponsors insisted their motives were not racist, although, one of the sponsors, state Sen. Scott Beason, later recorded himself referring to black people as aborigines while wearing a wire for the FBI.
    Kyle Whitmire, al, 22 Nov. 2019
Noun
  • Those clauses were removed in the 1960s, leaving no mention of aboriginals at all.
    The Economist, The Economist, 5 July 2018
  • These people are too far away to show a direct link between them and the Clovis in such a way that indicates the Clovis being the aboriginals of South America.
    Adam Rutherford, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017
Noun
  • On the fifth floor is the atrium, where GM's deep ties with artist and Detroit native Harry Bertoia are on display with a dramatic steel sculpture.
    Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Weir, a Bay Area native, was a founding member of the legendary rock band Grateful Dead.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
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.

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“Autochthon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autochthon. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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