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
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 nonnative
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
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
-
All face charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and additional juvenile cases may be under seal.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
There’s big studio stuff coming from Pixar or DreamWorks and nothing else except foreign films that get brought in.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
American travelers are hearing a lot of political hot takes from strangers these days.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
It's been used to charge massuses who go too far, people who grab strangers and people who have crossed the line with family members and minors.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Temporary residence permits allow foreigners to live and work in Germany, as well as receive government benefits, but mean their ability to remain there is uncertain.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
With cutting-edge boutiques, moody bistros, colorful bars slinging cocktails, and stylish cafes, Cihangir has long been the scene where hip Turks and foreigners mingle.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Carol is repulsed by how regressive this sounds and nearly loses her temper for an alien-shaking third time in the episode.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That’s because the third act reveals that Teddy was right all along, and Michelle is an alien.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonnative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnative. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share