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 Is your motivation for doing well extrinsic or intrinsic? Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 11 June 2025 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 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
  • The company said its decision were not influenced by government agencies or external individuals.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Each unit is expected to cost around USD 35,000, uses 850-1,000 watts (W) of energy, and doesn’t require an external computer to operate.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • None of this means AI is irrelevant.
    Jennifer Moss, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Unfurling through the book is a radical approach that holds gender irrelevant, sensuality and even sexuality paramount, and music essential.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 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
  • The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.
    Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
Adjective
  • Herzog’s script dispenses with anything extraneous to driving the story forward, and that makes the conflict gripping, as do the invariably outstanding performances.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Most bands’ B-sides were random live tracks, extraneous remixes, or goofing off in the studio — and Oasis did engage in a bit of that — but Oasis also famously burned off a number of instant classics as B-sides as if to prove this band was definitely no flash in the pan.
    Jesse Adams, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her death appears accidental, according to preliminary information from police.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The name was an accidental misspelling of googol, a term coined by a mathematician’s young son to describe a 1 with 100 zeros after it.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrinsic. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extrinsic

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