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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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autochthonous
Adjective
  • India also invests in indigenous programs like the Tejas fighter jet and Arihant-class submarines, though modernization gaps remain.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Many wisdoms intrinsic to permaculture long predate the term—it cannot be understated how much stems from indigenous knowledge and was passed down from generations before, from these ancestral stewards who listened to, and trusted, the land.
    Catherine Habgood September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While some people express concerns, the AKC noted that many cultures throughout history have considered co-sleeping with animals as beneficial, such as aboriginal Australians who slept beside their dogs for warmth and protection.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Heyerdahl built this replica of the aboriginal balsa raft to test his theories that the ancient Peruvians reached Polynesia with this transport.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025

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“Autochthonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autochthonous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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