Synonyms of indigenous

indigenous

adjective

in-ˈdi-jə-nəs 

1

as in aboriginal

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

the culture of the indigenous people of that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing

the drive to create that is indigenous to humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential
• native
• constitutional
• natural
• hereditary
• innate
• inbred
• constitutive
• ingrained
• inner
• inherited
• inborn
• immanent
• distinctive
• elemental
• fundamental
• basic
• engrained
• congenital
• internal
• hardwired
• characteristic
• ingrain
• built-in
• in one's blood
• peculiar
• interior
• deep-rooted
• typical
• normal
• habitual
• regular
• inveterate
• inmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• foreign
• alien
• extrinsic
• extraneous
• adventitious
• incidental
• accidental
• surface
• coincidental
• external
• acquired
• superficial
• exterior
• adscititious

Synonym Chooser

How is the word indigenous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of indigenous are aboriginal, endemic, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," 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

In what contexts can aboriginal take the place of indigenous?

The synonyms aboriginal and indigenous are sometimes interchangeable, but aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When could endemic be used to replace indigenous?

While the synonyms endemic and indigenous are close in meaning, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When is it sensible to use native instead of indigenous?

The words native and indigenous can be used in similar contexts, but native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of indigenous

The Treaty Principles Bill sought to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – an agreement signed between the British Crown and a group of indigenous Māori leaders in the 1840s, which formalized New Zealand as a British colony and reserved Māori land and customary rights. —Todd Symons, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025

French is the official language of the former Belgian colony but over 200 indigenous languages are spoken, the CIA said. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025

Opponents said the courts had already settled the principles of the treaty and that the draft list Seymour put forward would erode indigenous rights and harm social cohesion. —Todd Symons, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025

Choose from among four wellness journeys that take inspiration from the medicine wheel, a sacred symbol of hope and a movement toward healing for generations of indigenous communities. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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