INDIGENOUS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'indigenous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of indigenous are aboriginal , endemic , and native . While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere. // indigenous plants

Q: In what contexts can 'aboriginal' take the place of 'indigenous'?

The synonyms aboriginal and indigenous are sometimes interchangeable, but aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region. // the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Q: When could 'endemic' be used to replace 'indigenous'?

While the synonyms endemic and indigenous are close in meaning, endemic implies being peculiar to a region. // a disease endemic in Africa

Q: When is it sensible to use 'native' instead of 'indigenous'?

The words native and indigenous can be used in similar contexts, but native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it. // native tribal customs

indigenous

adjective

in-ˈdi-jə-nəs

Definition of indigenous next

as in aboriginal

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin the culture of the indigenous people of that country

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as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing the drive to create that is indigenous to humanity

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How is the word indigenous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of indigenous are aboriginal, endemic, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

In what contexts can aboriginal take the place of indigenous?

The synonyms aboriginal and indigenous are sometimes interchangeable, but aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When could endemic be used to replace indigenous?

While the synonyms endemic and indigenous are close in meaning, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When is it sensible to use native instead of indigenous?

The words native and indigenous can be used in similar contexts, but native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Examples of indigenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The next cycle of the Lost Women franchise will focus on the brutal murders of two Alaska indigenous women, Veronica Abouchuk and Kathleen Jo Henry, and the investigation that led authorities to capture and convict their sadistic killer, Brian Steven Smith. —

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 July 2024 Formerly known as Port Keats, the remote location is home to one of Australia's largest indigenous communities and has a population of around 2,000 people. —

Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 4 July 2024 Celebrate pachamama this fall through Caribbean and indigenous traditions that connect so many Latine families. —

Zayda Rivera, Parents, 2 July 2024 Several states, Canadian municipalities and indigenous tribes, and more than 2,600 individuals voted against the agreement because of the shield for the Sackler family, their affiliates and related entities. —

Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for indigenous

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indigenous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Indigenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indigenous. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 9 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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