ALIEN Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'alien' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous , extrinsic , and foreign . While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability. // a practice totally alien to her nature

Q: In what contexts can 'extraneous' take the place of 'alien'?

The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part. // arguments extraneous to the issue

Q: When is it sensible to use 'extrinsic' instead of 'alien'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alien , extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature. // sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

Q: When could 'foreign' be used to replace 'alien'?

The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated. // techniques foreign to French cuisine

alien 1 of 3

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən

Definition of alien

as in foreign

being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own they were careful to learn of any alien business customs before trying to expand overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irrelevant

not being a vital part of or belonging to something it's completely alien to her nature to wish evil of anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alien

2 of 3

verb

as in to anger

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring such angry outbursts will rapidly alien any friends you might possibly have left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to transfer

to give over the legal possession or ownership of the couple plans to alien the adjoining house lot to their eldest son

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expropriate

alien

3 of 3

noun

as in stranger

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alien different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

In what contexts can extraneous take the place of alien?

The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

When is it sensible to use extrinsic instead of alien?

While in some cases nearly identical to alien, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

When could foreign be used to replace alien?

The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

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 alien

Adjective

The towering, seemingly alien rock formations have become increasingly prominent as the water level has dropped. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 At ten, the drawings were bold and clean, like tattoo flash from an alien planet. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

The older Green Lantern taunted the alien so much, that the creature detonated itself, blowing a hole into the side of the jail. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 Binface, who was first to declare and already a running joke in British elections, drew the most attention because of his satirical spin on politics and persona as a space alien from the planet Sigma IX. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alien

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien

Adjective

Maduro’s lawyers argued in papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court that the indictment must be dismissed because heads of sovereign states are immune from criminal prosecution in foreign courts.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
The recent changes followed reports that some foreign residents had been driving up home prices or evading payments for their public health insurance.

— Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of foreign

Adjective

Catherine and Alice are such complicated figures that the word likable seems irrelevant to them.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Markets may decide that the long lead time required to rebuild Venezuelan production makes the agreement largely irrelevant to near-term supply.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Verb

That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.

— Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The truth, at least about one network of accounts, appears to be both more familiar and stranger.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Officials also recommend watching drinks closely, avoiding food or drinks from strangers and remaining alert to potential online dating scams.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of stranger

Adjective

Build One Capability Beyond Your Current Role Build one capability beyond the current role through a deliberate stretch assignment, cross-functional project, certification or external contribution.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
In terms of vacation homes, this style typically means open living rooms and external walls with solid lower portions.

— Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of external

Verb

The usually cordial relationship between Washington and Ottawa has soured considerably in recent weeks, with trade talks derailed and the neighbors now levying multi-billion-dollar tariffs against one another.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Advertisement Perhaps the biggest reason the vibes around OpenAI and its CEO have soured is an erosion of public trust.

— Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sour

Verb

After ceding its lead, first to Red Bull and then to McLaren, his team is atop the standings again and favored to win the 2026 season.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Once in office, however, Biden ceded his domestic agenda to progressives who believed in Sanders’s vision of transformational change.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of cede

Cite this Entry

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“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alien

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noun

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Synonyms of alien

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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