FRONTIER Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

frontier 1 of 2

noun

ˌfrən-ˈtir

Definition of frontier

as in border

a region along the dividing line between two countries the Apaches were once feared on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico frontier

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in countryside

a rural region that forms the edge of the settled or developed part of a country Alaska has been called America's last frontier

Synonyms & Similar Words

frontier

2 of 2

adjective

as in marginal

located at or near a border a frontier town with a reputation for vice and lawlessness

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 frontier

Noun

Nvidia and several other tech companies have publicly supported the role of open-weight models as alternatives to the proprietary closed-frontier models trained by companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Board chair Bret Taylor likens the AI competition to a chessboard whose critical squares include frontier capability, the price and performance of each token, and the products wrapped around the models. — Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Adjective

That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frontier

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frontier

Noun

The death toll from the devastating floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 676 people, as rescue operations stall amid poor weather.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
On the Chinese side of the border, in the autonomous region of Tibet, the deluge overwhelmed Gyirong Port, a major border crossing with Nepal that, in scenes reminiscent of a disaster movie, appears to have been completely washed away.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of border

Noun

What initially appeared to be a simple family vacation may ultimately have marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Sussexes, who are said to have chosen to settle in the Cotswolds, in the heart of the English countryside.

— Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026
The festival stayed at the replacement site, and the Iowa countryside became woven into its identity.

— Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of countryside

Adjective

In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Going back to the Mets example, perhaps in an uber-technical sense a Mets’ loss could have marginal economic impact as some fans guzzle more beer to drown away their sorrows.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of marginal

Noun

Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Economic impact of low birth rates Persistently low birth rates could threaten a country’s ability to sustain its economy.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of country

Noun

No one predicted the sleepy backwater of Sassnitz would be rebranded ‘Crashnitz’ or ‘Smashnitz’ by the end of the first edition of the German Sail Grand Prix last year.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Few ideas on Wall Street have been better than the reinvention of insurance from stodgy backwater to dealmakers’ playground.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of backwater

Noun

In the blizzardy hinterlands, boredom is driving two soldiers mad, and a stranger’s arrival only underscores the futility of the war’s propaganda.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
Putin began a neo-imperialist land grab, seizing territory around Russia’s hinterlands.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Definition of hinterland

Noun

The desert’s location on the southern border has led to many migrants attempting to cross it by using dangerous backcountry routes, the experts said.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
For people heading into the backcountry, the Forest Service recommends using bear-resistant food containers and storing food away from campsites.

— Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of backcountry

Browse Nearby Words

fronted

frontier

frontiers

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Style

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frontier. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frontier

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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