as in indigenous
belonging to a particular place by birth or origin
an illegally introduced Asian fish that has virtually wiped out the lake's autochthonous species
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 autochthonous
In contrast, Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) and Indian Jews (Bene Israel and Cochini) cluster with neighbouring autochthonous populations in Ethiopia and western India, respectively, despite a clear paternal link between the Bene Israel and the Levant.
—
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2010
Alternatively, maybe the idea of coffee wasn't really autochthonous.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2013
Far from being autochthonous, folk music is often influenced by the music of cities and courts, the seeds spread by travelers, merchants, migrants, itinerant players, refugees.
—Evan Eisenberg, WSJ, 24 May 2018
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2010
Alternatively, maybe the idea of coffee wasn't really autochthonous.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2013
Far from being autochthonous, folk music is often influenced by the music of cities and courts, the seeds spread by travelers, merchants, migrants, itinerant players, refugees.
—Evan Eisenberg, WSJ, 24 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Autochthonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autochthonous. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share