native 1 of 2

1
as in indigenous
belonging to a particular place by birth or origin though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

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2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining diamonds in their native state are not the bright, flashy gems that one might imagine

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3

native

2 of 2

noun

1
as in resident
a usually longtime resident of a locality the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood

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2
as in aborigine
a member of the first people to inhabit a region the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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 native
Adjective
If anyone is hoping to draw one of these butterflies to their home, Gehin says to plant native plants, like milkweed, in their yards. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025 This includes native bees, butterflies, moths, spiders and ladybugs. Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hooker, a Greensboro native, has been the team’s practice squad since the start of the season. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025 But Ennis, a Philadelphia native, seemed so sure of himself in that moment. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for native
Recent Examples of Synonyms for native
Adjective
  • Angela has the nation’s largest indigenous seed bank, which contains hundreds, if not over a thousand, different seeds that have been donated by people.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Yagazie Emezi and Nuotama Bodomo rework ethnographic traditions through indigenous knowledge—Emezi invoking ancestral memory through textiles and ritual, Bodomo reframing film through Afro-indigenous rhythms.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Joseph previously worked for an Emirati company, Global Shipping Group, and was also the signatory for three other tankers sanctioned for transporting Iranian crude oil.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Some Sora users depicted King making crude jokes and other inappropriate content.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For the most part, though, his attention to detail and his feeling for structure yielded readings of inherent, inarguable rightness.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, it's all done rather haphazardly, but with inherent purpose, which is exactly how a true Southern cook runs a kitchen.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But among the cobweb-covered religious statues are other cemetery residents with a less-than-pleasant history.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • How are Metcalfe Park area residents are adapting to life without a full-service grocery store?
    Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Guanches were aborigines of the Canary Islands.
    JP Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
  • The bill’s sponsors insisted their motives were not racist, although, one of the sponsors, state Sen. Scott Beason, later recorded himself referring to black people as aborigines while wearing a wire for the FBI.
    Kyle Whitmire, al, 22 Nov. 2019
Adjective
  • While some people express concerns, the AKC noted that many cultures throughout history have considered co-sleeping with animals as beneficial, such as aboriginal Australians who slept beside their dogs for warmth and protection.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Heyerdahl built this replica of the aboriginal balsa raft to test his theories that the ancient Peruvians reached Polynesia with this transport.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This groundbreaking method could transform the way researchers study complex diseases, including cancer, without disrupting natural cellular processes.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The large-mouthed sharks end up hoovering in some of this natural debris.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Market cycles have always been intrinsic to investing.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There’s an intrinsic magic that happens on board.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Native.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/native. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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