frontier 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of frontiernext
as in marginal
located at or near a border a frontier town with a reputation for vice and lawlessness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frontier

2 of 2

noun

ˌfrən-ˈtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
1
as in border
a region along the dividing line between two countries the Apaches were once feared on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico frontier

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2
as in countryside
a rural region that forms the edge of the settled or developed part of a country Alaska has been called America's last frontier

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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 frontier
Adjective
That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
The middle ground can be a worthwhile frontier, as evinced by the mellow, incense-scented soft rock of an album like Clairo’s Charm, and the Sullivans explore that same blissful, lived-in palette. — W. Reed Putnam, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 The company sees India as a potential next frontier thanks to its population size, growing middle class and cultural admiration for celebrities, which plays right into Boxbollen’s marketing strategy. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frontier
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frontier
  1. marginal
  2. border
  3. countryside
  4. country
  5. backwater
  6. hinterland
  7. backcountry
  8. bush
Adjective
  • Syrskyi also came under intense criticism for his association with the 425th Separate Assault Regiment, known as Skelia, which for many Ukrainians became emblematic of the tactics that expended soldiers’ lives for marginal territorial gains.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Reasonable people can disagree over whether capital gains should receive preferential tax treatment as against wages, whether the top marginal rate is too high, too low, or merely poorly designed.
    — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of marginal
Noun
  • The physical border fence between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar was removed earlier this month, under a historic treaty between the EU and the UK.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The strategic headquarters of the Allied Powers, known as SHAPE, is located in the southern Belgian city of Mons near the French border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • The family of four, appearing to be in Portugal with a Alentejo region sign featured in a snap inside a restaurant, spent time at the beach, in the countryside and in the pool.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • One major bonus is the huge heated pool, perched in the ideal location for views across the city and out into the countryside.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Definition of countryside
Noun
  • Grammy Award-winning hip-hop and country artist Shaboozey made his Comic-Con debut with his graphic novel, The Outlaw Cherie Lee, out August 18.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • No one bill was ever going to solve every affordability challenge facing this country.
    — Kent Strang, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Fully restored to its original glory, the mansion is located on the banks of the backwaters of Kerala, and is only accessible by boat from the mainland.
    — Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026
  • The movie goes from this weird, seedy love motel to the industrial backwaters, and these long walks and talks down empty streets.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Definition of backwater
Noun
  • The four siblings – Anna, Jack, middle brother Ed (Callum Turner) and younger brother Robert (Lukas Gage) – are all adult and all still living at the family home, a modernist property in the hinterlands of Catalonia, Spain.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Indeed, Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure have created major gas shortages that are bedeviling much of the Russian hinterland.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026
Definition of hinterland
Noun
  • The property is a blend of high-end finishes and backcountry recreation, with miles of private trails and water features that aim to make the land feel like its own getaway.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • At the end of a day in backcountry, the Ranger Grand Teton’s cabin becomes, well, a cabin.
    — Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of backcountry
Noun
  • Juniper trees, myrtle bushes, vineyards, and aromatic herbs flourish under the influence of the Maestrale, the strong northwesterly wind that sweeps across Sardinia year-round.
    — Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Late spring and early summer have some of the best weather for hiking, while fall is when certain trees and bushes turn shades of orange, yellow, and red, making for a colorful in-park experience.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
Definition of bush

Browse Nearby Words

fronted
frontier
frontiers
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Cite this Entry

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frontier. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on frontier

Nglish: Translation of frontier for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frontier

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