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

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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

In a scene at the beginning of Episode 8, actor Siena Agudong, who plays Sue, expresses Flanagan’s belief that sincerely openhearted people like Carrie are met with rejection and seen as alien in a world where cynicism is our default mode. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 In this first contact technothriller, a mysterious spaceship carrying an alien hive mind called the Irunmole appears above Nigeria. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

The hero cop and the villainous alien are telling Hal the same thing? — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 This switching of places is especially true of Islam seen as an alien but also more virile force than Western liberalism, one whose power thus needs to be countered by its own weapons of solidarity and domination. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alien

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien

Adjective

The United States could reap crucial benefits from sharing foreign trade secrets with select tech firms.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
In the eastern coastal city of Durban, where looting of shops owned by foreign nationals was reported by the state broadcaster, SABC, riot police were deployed to the city center.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of foreign

Adjective

Ovitz, meanwhile, asked to be excused from further questioning on the grounds that Ormond’s lawyers were trying to harass him with irrelevant questions.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
But three judges added a concurrence that could make the whole thing irrelevant — and finally clear the way for Presnell’s sentence to be carried out.

— Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Verb

The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party champion Taiwan’s separate identity from China, a position that frequently angers Beijing, which views the island as Chinese territory.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Its ownership can be transferred to a new customer when selling it on secondhand platforms such as Vinted and Vestiaire Collective or Spin’s own peer-to-peer resale hub.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The council voted to transfer personnel and funds from four existing departments involved in homelessness response to the new department.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of transfer

Noun

Seven strangers from different countries and backgrounds are forced to compete in a deadly game, each facing a different mission to rescue a loved one.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Kneeling on the floor of a stranger’s home, performing CPR and trying to keep someone alive, often with frantic family members watching in shock.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of stranger

Adjective

Disruptions to external infrastructure could therefore affect parts of its fuel supply chain.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
In both wars, external support has made sustained air and missile strike campaigns far less likely to result in political capitulation, or economic or military collapse.

— Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of external

Verb

For the rest of the show, Love sat in place, singing along but ceding his usual lead vocals and master of ceremonies roles to others.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency ceded some of its climate authority by repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas.

— LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of cede

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“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of alien

adjective

verb

noun

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