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
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Recent Examples of autochthonous
Giovanna Caruso is the fourth generation of Caruso& Minini, a winery appreciated for its wines made both with autochthonous grapes (such as Grillo, Zibibbo, Perricone, Frappato, Nero d’Avola) and international varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot).
—
Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
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
Alternatively, maybe the idea of coffee wasn't really autochthonous.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2013
Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
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
Alternatively, maybe the idea of coffee wasn't really autochthonous.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autochthonous
Adjective
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The Kumeyaay indigenous people who live north of the San Diego River in Mission Valley are known as Ipai and those who live south of the river in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico are referred to as Tipai.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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The longer China is fenced off from American innovation, the more incentive its government and private sector have to build indigenous capabilities, with implications for global standards, interoperability and economic influence.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Once an aboriginal title is recognized, its holders can collect formal and informal rents from those who seek to develop what is Indigenous land.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
27 Dec. 2025
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The woman is also described as aboriginal, around 5 foot tall, wearing a black beanie, white T-shirt, and maroon hoodie.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Autochthonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autochthonous. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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