as in foreign
being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own
nonnative customs that made the recent immigrants stand out in their new country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stranger
a person who is not native to or known to a community
the problems encountered by a nonnative after moving into a close-knit community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonnative
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Typically, nonnative species are introduced to areas accidentally through cargo or escapes from captivity.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Erie Canal and its adjacent feeder rivers and reservoirs likely enabled two voracious nonnative species, the Atlantic sea lamprey and alewife, to enter the Great Lakes ecosystem.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The eel, along with other invasive species, are gaining more of a foothold in the southeastern United States, causing concern among resource and wildlife managers, along with state and local agencies tasked with minimizing adverse effects of nonnative plants and animals.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Some states began killing the nonnative swans over the animal welfare groups’ objections.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Four nonnative tick species have been identified in the state in recent years.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
If the fear is that foreigners are coming here to take our jobs and ruin beloved American traditions, there are plenty of nonnative artists to grouse about.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Typically, nonnative species are introduced to areas accidentally through cargo or escapes from captivity.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The Erie Canal and its adjacent feeder rivers and reservoirs likely enabled two voracious nonnative species, the Atlantic sea lamprey and alewife, to enter the Great Lakes ecosystem.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
The eel, along with other invasive species, are gaining more of a foothold in the southeastern United States, causing concern among resource and wildlife managers, along with state and local agencies tasked with minimizing adverse effects of nonnative plants and animals.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Some states began killing the nonnative swans over the animal welfare groups’ objections.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Four nonnative tick species have been identified in the state in recent years.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonnative
Adjective
-
People who import non-conforming foreign cars also must post bond and comply with other Transportation Department terms and conditions.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Among the deployers of foreign capital eager to invest in the boom years was the giant New York hedge fund Och-Ziff (since rebranded as Sculptor Capital).—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Talk shows have always been performative, conjuring an illusion of intimacy between strangers surrounded by lights, cameras, and a studio audience.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Sheriff got into a tussle with his killer after the stranger started drunkenly groping women, including the victim’s girlfriend, according to Fawaz.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The White House has argued with little evidence that the levies are paid by foreigners.—
Arriana McLymore,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
During the questioning, government prosecutor Jason Wu asked Noelcius if the warrant authorized anyone to kill the president, capture and take him out of the country or give foreigners the right to take it from the internet to execute it.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lee, who has been sober for 30 years, recounts wearing a feather boa and dancing on top of the bar with an inflatable alien hanging from the ceiling.—
Leanne Battelle,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Created by Seth MacFarlane, who voices the family’s patriarch and Roger the alien, the show has gained popularity partly for its musical numbers performed by the Smith family’s pubescent son and Roger.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonnative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnative. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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