alien 1 of 3

alien

2 of 3

verb

alien

3 of 3

noun

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
She is suspended in a field of turquoise paint, her skin tone a pewter-gray grisaille, which removes her from our realm and gives her an almost alien interiority and agency. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025 Many Americans have suggested that otherworldly occurrences take place at the facility and some believe that the government keeps an alien spacecraft and the bodies of its crew on the grounds. Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
But even that description fails to capture what Yagi is after: those parts of us, precious and possibly hostile, which flower in darkness, disintegrate when described, and can be compared only to alien life-forms. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Neanderthal to alien, and yet strangely well-suited for the modern era. Nick Remsen, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021
Noun
This automatic extension applies to U.S. citizens and resident aliens who live outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 According to 8 People Who Love It By Ian Kumamoto Somehow until recently, this diva was the literal only canonically trans character in Doctor Who, a series about an immortal two-hearted humanoid alien that has been regenerated into over a dozen different bodies. Samantha Riedel, Them., 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alien
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alien
Adjective
  • China, Canada, and Mexico – which together supply nearly half of the foreign goods consumed in the U.S. – continued to lead the import surge.
    Dian Zhang, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The rate hike comes in the face of significant foreign currency depletion, as the Turkish central bank spent as much as $25 billion in three days following the arrest of Imamoglu and ensuing protests on March 19 to defend the lira, which briefly ropped to a record low of more 40 to the U.S. dollar.
    Natasha Turak, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • They’re beautifully designed and thoroughly approved—but quickly irrelevant.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Wherever Detroit falls in the standings should be irrelevant Friday, though.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This week, President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, angering members of the Elbow Patch Mafia around America.
    Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular.
    Alex Marquardt, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to Nature, the findings offer the first evidence for squirrels transferring the virus to primates.
    Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Revell said the suspect will need a significant amount of time to recover from his injuries after which he'll be transferred to a detention facility.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Embrace a Future-Focused Networking Strategy Networking doesn’t have to mean working a room full of strangers.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But when does a stranger stops being a stranger anymore?
    Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The team was able to remove the external support in October and added a dental acrylic covering over the gap in the bone until late March.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But these laws have not historically extended to child influencers and social media stars — leaving the influencer space largely free of guidelines and any external accountability.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But later, under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, relations soured.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Sentiment soured though as the White House doubled down in the afternoon on aggressive tariffs.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lindelof and Ugarte both looked uncomfortable against this, either resorting to aimless long balls or ceding possession in dangerous areas.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • What if this character’s eventual fate is not to hold on to her power, but to cede it to another?
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 12 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Alien.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alien. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alien

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!