as in citizens
a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it
recommended that foreign nationals living in the region evacuate immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nationals
The fraying ties prompted Islamabad to return almost three million Afghan nationals in recent months, straining Kabul’s scant resources.
—
semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom told British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence to receive direct updates from its foreign ministry.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
The Czech Republic is sending two planes to Egypt and Jordan to bring home Czech nationals, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
One person was killed and more than 30 were injured — all of them foreign nationals.
—Richard Hall, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
By Dana Hull, Bloomberg Jeffrey Epstein attempted to bring three women who were foreign nationals along with him for a tour of SpaceX’s headquarters in 2013, emails released by the US Justice Department show, an effort that raised security concerns within the Elon Musk-run company.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
His conversations with Saddam Hussein in 1990 yielded the release of hundreds of foreign nationals and about 100 Americans who had been prevented from leaving the country.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The indictment identified the defendants as Iranian nationals.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
That includes Cuban nationals with serious criminal records who were previously impossible to deport, according to Herald interviews.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom told British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence to receive direct updates from its foreign ministry.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
The Czech Republic is sending two planes to Egypt and Jordan to bring home Czech nationals, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
One person was killed and more than 30 were injured — all of them foreign nationals.
—Richard Hall, Time, 1 Mar. 2026
By Dana Hull, Bloomberg Jeffrey Epstein attempted to bring three women who were foreign nationals along with him for a tour of SpaceX’s headquarters in 2013, emails released by the US Justice Department show, an effort that raised security concerns within the Elon Musk-run company.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
His conversations with Saddam Hussein in 1990 yielded the release of hundreds of foreign nationals and about 100 Americans who had been prevented from leaving the country.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The indictment identified the defendants as Iranian nationals.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
That includes Cuban nationals with serious criminal records who were previously impossible to deport, according to Herald interviews.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nationals
citizens
Noun
-
The award recognizes those who support the foundation’s mission to allow students to develop to their full potential as artists, scholars, and citizens, and to provide equitable access to arts education at the Boston Arts Academy.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The economy is tanking and insecurity spreading amid rising violence by extremist settlers and measures Israel says are meant to protect its citizens but which Palestinians say curb their movement.—
Fadwa Hodali,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nationals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nationals. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
