Synonym Chooser

How is the word extrinsic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extrinsic are alien, extraneous, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

How do alien and foreign relate to one another, in the sense of extrinsic?

Alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

When could extraneous be used to replace extrinsic?

While in some cases nearly identical to extrinsic, extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

When might foreign be a better fit than extrinsic?

Although the words foreign and extrinsic have much in common, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

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 extrinsic The appeal supports the notion that an extrinsic test wouldn’t be the only way to assess the similarity between the songs. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2025 This refers to a call spread where the in-the-money call has the same extrinsic value as the out-of-the-money call. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025 And that is not something extrinsic, imposed by regulation or taxation, but inherent to the way the company conceives of itself, its ownership structure, its governance, its performance metrics, its finances — everything. Iese Business School, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 The most common causes of extrinsic stains are coffee, tea, red wine, colas, and smoking. Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extrinsic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extrinsic
Adjective
  • Many, if not most, companies use and rely on cloud services, vendors and other external partners to manage their data and operations leaving customers’ data vulnerable when their employees are manipulated through social engineering.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The pool and rooftop bars are for hotel guests only, while the restaurants are open to external guests.
    Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Leading up to kickoff of Belichick’s debut at Chapel Hill, college football, this community and certainly the TV networks were thrilled with the prospect of this grouchy old man turning an irrelevant football team into something worth watching.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Natural gas fulfills much of this need, while coal is dirtier, expensive, and increasingly irrelevant for electricity production.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
  • Lauren Heller Since Sagittarians are willing to try anything once, the Fire sign resembles Lauren's adventitious persona.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The recent economic downturn has forced consumers to cut extraneous costs like adult content subscriptions.
    Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
  • Maybe that’s why, compared with some other kinds of nitpickers, pop critics can seem especially extraneous.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Taylor Farms has recalled its Honey Balsamic Salad Kits in response to an accidental switch in the salad dressing.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The safety lock prevents accidental deployment while the Flex Shears tool is in your pocket or bag.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrinsic. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extrinsic

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