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

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 indigenous European settlers generally took over and developed the most fertile land, eventually erasing signs of past indigenous practices with their own plowing and development. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 June 2025 Researchers worked in collaboration with indigenous communities, various international institutions and archaeologists, according to the release, and were able to study over 800 DNA samples from ancient human remains and recent medical cases showing signs of leprosy. Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 The chefs have to forage plants indigenous to Calgary and cook a dish outdoors, over open flames. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 30 May 2025 Collaborating with local indigenous communities to find and document animals such as the woolly rat is crucial to help strengthen biodiversity and conservation efforts, and what is needed to protect them from outside threats. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for indigenous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indigenous
Adjective
  • The Verdict Lizard Island is rich with history (aboriginal and colonial) and is such an environmental wonder that researchers from around the world come here to study the reef.
    Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
  • The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that village dogs are also known as primitive, aboriginal, or landrace dogs.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • In theory, that should smooth some of the rough edges inherent to a first-time starting quarterback.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • And this fact is unrelated to another fact: Israel unequivocally has an inherent right to exist.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Crimson Tide flipped four-star Omaha, Neb., native Jett Thomalla from Iowa State on Tuesday, giving DeBoer and his staff their second commit of the month and a quarterback to build the class around.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • The island’s native population increased but remained below 10,000 people until the early years of the 20th century.
    Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • This intrinsic volatility is a typical trait of new, avant-garde technologies.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Is your motivation for doing well extrinsic or intrinsic?
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Becoming Prepared For Tomorrow AI is no longer a frontier test technology but is becoming an integral part of engineering excellence.
    Srinivasa Rao Bittla, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • At the same time, news is still an integral part of most people’s entertainment diet.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • So, keeping a stock of band aids in your carry-on is essential.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
  • The 19-year-old collected a clean sweep of the club’s player of the season awards, becoming the first teenager since Glenn Hoddle to do so, and is viewed as an essential part of the present and future.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indigenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indigenous. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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