Synonyms of endemic

endemic

adjective

en-ˈde-mik 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indigenous
• aboriginal
• native
• autochthonous
• local
• domestic
• born
• regional
• original

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• introduced
• foreign
• exotic
• nonindigenous
• nonnative
• strange
• alien
• immigrant
• transplanted
• imported
• expatriate

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of endemic

That was a possible sign of fatigue or distracted driving, some experts told CBS Austin — a problem that truckers told The Hill is endemic across an industry that pushes them to work around the clock. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

Part of the problem is that, in the Brazilian legislature, corruption and criminality are so endemic as to be inextricable from the job of governance. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

An organic farm supplies the kitchen and, through the replanting of endemic flora, the project aims to eventually sequester more than 100,000 tons of carbon a year. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025

The government’s rationales for its actions range from accusations of endemic antisemitism on campuses to the participation of a transgender woman on a swim team. —Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

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