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

By defining other civilizations as alien cultures, a civilizationist grand strategy might fuel antagonism rather than tolerate differences. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 Other deportees had convictions or arrests involving violent assault, domestic violence, drugs, burglary and theft, weapons offense alien smuggling and other crimes. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 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

More than 400 foreign nationals are among the 579 tourists missing in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
The brothers Tate were arrested by federal marshals in Miami last month, after years of being investigated by several foreign authorities.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 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

Adjective

In June, India's central bank started offering special incentives on foreign currency bank deposits of non-resident Indians, on overseas foreign currency borrowings, and on external commercial borrowings.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
In a civilizationist understanding, a regional hegemon should assert its dominance over its backyard to provide order and exclude external powers.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 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

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“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 1 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

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to alien

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