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

Those concerns have picked up momentum in recent months as more and more insiders call for slower development and warn about safety culture in frontier labs. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026 Gemini 3, which launched towards the end of 2025, put Google very much in the frontier AI conversation. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 2 Oct. 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

For Choi, the project has also become another demonstration of what her own border-crossing background might make possible.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Not all of that movement happens through official border posts.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of border

Noun

Elevated viewpoints across the surrounding countryside could make this an intriguing alternative to watching from the crowded coastline.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
And so began a mother-daughter quest that so far has taken us to a Cypriot mountain village, the British countryside, and playgrounds and arboretums across the United States to find Maya’s 337-strong genetic family and learn more about the syndrome.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of countryside

Adjective

The trade is poised to benefit farmers, particularly women, in developing economies such as India by converting marginal and underutilized land into income-generating assets.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Rain chances are from 80% to 90% for the region with another 2-4 inches forecast bringing a marginal risk for excessive rainfall and some minor flooding.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of marginal

Noun

The country currently exports about 80% of its electricity to other Asian countries like Thailand, China, and Singapore.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
International funding, Patil says, means long waits, complicated contracts and co-production treaties, and Indian filmmakers end up chasing the same grants as professionals from wealthier countries.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of country

Noun

Navigate the biodiverse backwaters of Choctawhatchee Bay or visit Destin, the perfect beach town for kiteboarding and snorkeling.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of backwater

Noun

In any event, relocating an entertainment behemoth out of California, to some entertainment hinterland like those states, would be more complicated and certainly costly than staying put.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
At the very least, regionalism marked a spatial recalibration in the literary imaginary, away from European metropoles and national capitals and toward rural hinterlands.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinterland

Noun

Another project would involve replacing 17 wayside exhibits at backcountry trailheads and three in the Cottonwood Spring area and adding three new interpretive wayside exhibits on the Mastodon Peak Loop.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office reminds those venturing into the backcountry to know their limitations and prepare before departing.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of backcountry

Noun

Tortoises routinely seek shade under dense bushes, vanish into mangroves, or shelter from the scorching equatorial sun.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Residents are urged to keep an eye out for small devices like cell phones or cameras with batteries attached that are typically wrapped in tape or leaves and hidden under bushes, behind trees or near fences.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of bush

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fronted

frontier

frontiers

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Style

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

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Synonyms of frontier

noun

adjective

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