1
as in residents
a usually longtime resident of a locality
the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aborigines
a member of the first people to inhabit a region
the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of natives
These digital natives have decades ahead of them in leadership roles.
—
Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
The draft will continue on Friday night with Rounds 2 and 3, in which a number of state natives are expected to go.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
But natives like Grigsby say the city's passionate fanbases and 16 major professional league championships make the selection a natural fit.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
The two fellow Arkansas natives exchanged pleasantries for about three minutes before heading to lunch at the Cowboys’ in-house restaurant.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Several Kansas City metro natives will likely hear their names called or could be called into a rookie training camp after the draft.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
So, if people went out and planted natives, they're probably adapted to this.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
The welcome center's plaza is planted with natives like azaleas, oakleaf hydrangea, bottlebrush buckeye, and needle palm.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Tips for eating Ethiopian food Tedla strives to find the right balance between authenticity for natives alongside choice for people who are curious but nervous about trying a new food.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
The draft will continue on Friday night with Rounds 2 and 3, in which a number of state natives are expected to go.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
But natives like Grigsby say the city's passionate fanbases and 16 major professional league championships make the selection a natural fit.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
The two fellow Arkansas natives exchanged pleasantries for about three minutes before heading to lunch at the Cowboys’ in-house restaurant.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Several Kansas City metro natives will likely hear their names called or could be called into a rookie training camp after the draft.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
So, if people went out and planted natives, they're probably adapted to this.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
The welcome center's plaza is planted with natives like azaleas, oakleaf hydrangea, bottlebrush buckeye, and needle palm.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Tips for eating Ethiopian food Tedla strives to find the right balance between authenticity for natives alongside choice for people who are curious but nervous about trying a new food.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for natives
Noun
-
Much of Lofton’s research looks at developing a multi-level, multi-component food system intervention to address food insecurity inequities amongst Black American residents living in predominantly Black communities.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
When money was low, one of the residents would pick whatever was left in the garden to make a huge pot of soup to share with others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The updraft knifed through the building, whose inhabitants were already suffering without heat or power for much of the winter as Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The decades-old attraction has been closed since last September when its more than 30 inhabitants were relocated elsewhere in the park.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The expansion, which cost $230 million, was well-received, both within the art press and by locals, who flocked to the museum.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Reddit users started posting videos of him back in March, when he was first spotted standing front and center on a platform while the smaller locals kept a respectful distance.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Natives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/natives. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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