as in indigenous
belonging to a particular place by birth or origin the fish is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native trout population

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How is the word endemic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of endemic are aboriginal, indigenous, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might aboriginal be a better fit than endemic?

The words aboriginal and endemic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When would indigenous be a good substitute for endemic?

While in some cases nearly identical to endemic, indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

When is it sensible to use native instead of endemic?

In some situations, the words native and endemic are roughly equivalent. However, native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

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 endemic Over the decades of LDP dominance of Japanese politics since it was established in 1955, voters tolerated endemic corruption because the LDP delivered economic growth. Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025 Long ago, this ferocious fly was endemic in the US and stymied the livestock industry. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025 Such errors are endemic to the current crop of large language models. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 Such cost estimating issues remain endemic, according to the GAO. Davis Winkie, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for endemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for endemic
Adjective
  • Angela has the nation’s largest indigenous seed bank, which contains hundreds, if not over a thousand, different seeds that have been donated by people.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Yagazie Emezi and Nuotama Bodomo rework ethnographic traditions through indigenous knowledge—Emezi invoking ancestral memory through textiles and ritual, Bodomo reframing film through Afro-indigenous rhythms.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 25 Oct. 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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Cite this Entry

“Endemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endemic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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