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as in multinational
relating to or involving two or more nations foreign trade has always been vital to the region's economic health

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of foreign are alien, extraneous, and extrinsic. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," 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

How do alien and foreign relate to one another?

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

a practice totally alien to her nature

When is extraneous a more appropriate choice than foreign?

The words extraneous and foreign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 extrinsic be a better fit than foreign?

In some situations, the words extrinsic and foreign are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 foreign Though immensely talented at transmitting emotion to foreign words, there’s one language that always gave her problems. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025 Elias Rodriguez, 31, of the 4700 block of North Troy Street, is charged in U.S. District Court in Washington with first-degree murder, murder of a foreign official, causing a death with a firearm and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence, according to the six-page criminal complaint. Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 Harvard enrolls almost 6,800 foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Mass., accounting for more than a quarter of its student body. Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 His foreign ministry spelled out that talks about the root causes of the conflict must precede discussions of a ceasefire. Tom Balmforth, USA Today, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for foreign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreign
Adjective
  • Nobody said international diplomacy was going to be easy.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • The National Business Daily, a Chinese state-run newspaper, said the listing would provide a necessary capital boost for CATL’s international expansion as it has been constrained by limited foreign currency reserves and rising geopolitical risks.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Packers didn’t dominate headlines this offseason by backing up the Brink’s truck for an external free agent or pulling off a seismic trade.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • These external sensory stimuli can trigger or worsen migraine symptoms.1 Jump to Key Takeaways 1.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their latest outing about a lonely young space enthusiast hobnobbing with alien galaxy leaders sounds intriguing and, per Pixar’s standards, heartwarming.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 May 2025
  • Chris Sanders, who voiced the furry blue alien in the original, will also voice the CGI alien of the remake, with Maia Kealoha and Sydney Elizebeth Agudong respectively playing Lilo and her older sister Nani.
    Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Brock Purdy certainly isn't going to be paid like someone who's irrelevant anymore.
    Cesar Brioso, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • But the details of how Peter ran his kingdom are irrelevant, if colorful.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The coroner found that no foul play was involved, and that his death was accidental.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • The accidental shooting unfolded on Wednesday inside an apartment in northeast D.C., located on 1700 block of Benning Road.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Our motivations—both intrinsic and extrinsic—propel us to acquire new skills, build meaningful relationships and progressively assert our autonomy by taking control of our actions.
    Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • His ethos and spirit pulsates throughout the idyllic interior and garden galleries, whisking New Yorkers and visitors away from the frenzy of daily routine, reminding us that art is essential, not extraneous, to our existence and fortitude.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • There are no extraneous set pieces to keep the audience’s attention, no rousing speeches from world leaders, no context provided about why Ramadi was important to American interests during the Iraq War.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foreign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreign. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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