Langimage
English

antialien

|an-ti-e-li-en|

C2

/ˌæn.tiˈeɪ.li.ən/

against the other

Etymology
Etymology Information

'antialien' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') and 'alien' (from Latin 'alienus' meaning 'other, belonging to another').

Historical Evolution

'alien' comes from Latin 'alienus' which passed into Old French and then Middle English as 'alien'; the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek ἀντί via Latin/modern adoption as a combining form; the compound 'anti- + alien' was formed in modern English to mean 'against alien(s)'.

Meaning Changes

Initially the elements meant 'against' (anti-) and 'other/foreigner' (alienus); over time the compound has been used to denote opposition either to foreign people (immigrants) or to extraterrestrial beings, with nuances depending on context.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a person who is opposed to 'aliens' (either foreigners or extraterrestrials); someone holding antialien views.

An antialien led protests against the resettlement plan.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 1

opposed to 'aliens' in the sense of foreign people or immigrants; showing hostility or resistance toward foreigners.

The politician took an antialien stance on immigration policy.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 2

opposed to extraterrestrial beings or to contact with beings from other planets; hostile or resistant to aliens in the extraterrestrial sense.

Some conspiracy groups adopted antialien rhetoric about any reported UFO contact.

Synonyms

anti-extraterrestrialalien-opposing

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/08/27 07:13