NONNATIVE Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

nonnative 1 of 2

adjective

ˌnän-ˈnā-tiv

Definition of nonnative

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonnative

2 of 2

noun

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

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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

Adjective

Their populations were first threatened in the late 1800s when nonnative trout that fed on tadpoles were introduced to their habitats for recreational fishing. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 But then in the mid-1980s, nonnative lake trout gained a foothold. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026 As for fish, settlers had begun introducing nonnative species by the late 1800s for sport fishing. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The nonnative trout prey on native Kokanee salmon, which Fish and Game stocks at Payette Lake. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026 Most of these fish were nonnative trout species which were stocked into historically fishless waters. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The immediate response should include recording how long ships have remained stationary, inspecting hulls, forecasting their first ports of call and expanding monitoring for nonnative species. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Aggressive plants have robust growth, can be native or nonnative, and are sometimes further classified as invasive. — Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 Eurasian Eagle Owls are apex predators, and Flaco was a nonnative species that may have had a negative effect on the fragile Central Park ecosystem. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonnative

Adjective

High energy costs, coupled with record exits of foreign investors from its capital markets due to risk aversion and the lack of artificial intelligence play, have kept the rupee under pressure.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Majidi previously made Oscar history with Children of Heaven (1997), which became the first Iranian film nominated in the international category, then known as best foreign-language film.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of foreign

Noun

Since 2012, Cabrera and his family have welcomed thousands of neighbors and strangers into their Vinings Estates home in Smyrna.

— Rebecca Deurlein, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of stranger

Noun

Kpodo, an architect, will exhibit work that addresses modernism, turning the focus away from tropical modernism centered on concrete buildings, which were often built by foreigners in Ghanaian cities.

— Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Officials are warning that attacks could happen with little or no warning at tourist attractions, hotels, transportation hubs, shopping malls and other places visited by foreigners.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of foreigner

Noun

Even in the deep ocean, which is filled with alien-like creatures, the whales almost feel like a master alien.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Business is bad for Ray, in part because Eye-Ra is an alien cyclops, and human-alien collaboration is frowned upon in this world.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of alien

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nonnational

nonnative

nonnatives

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“Nonnative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonnative. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonnative

adjective

noun

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