"Local" can mean nearby, limited to one area, or belonging to a particular place. Its contrasts therefore include distant, national, international, and outside-area terms. Useful choices include Global, International, National, and Remote.
Choosing the Best Contrast to “Local”
Quick options:
- Global
- International
- National
- Remote
- Distant
- Foreign
- Nonlocal
- Overseas
- Faraway
- Worldwide
- Transnational
- External
- Far-flung
- Distributed
Global
The term “Global” works as a counterpoint to “Local” in sentences about fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: An editor might choose “Global” when reversing the sense of “Local” in a passage about fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
International
“International” can express the reverse direction from “Local” when the issue is fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: For a context centred on fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope, “International” can move the meaning in the opposite direction from “Local”.
National
Use “National” as a contrast where “Local” points toward fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: A contrastive sentence may use “National” where “Local” would otherwise express fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Remote
“Remote” is most accurate as an opposite when the sentence is really about fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Example: When the relevant sense of “Local” is fits when the contrast concerns physical distance, “Remote” can provide the opposing wording.
Distant
Choose “Distant” when “Local” needs to be countered in a context centred on fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Example: In editing, “Distant” is a plausible contrast when “Local” is being used for fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Foreign
“Foreign” can mark a useful contrast to “Local” where the relevant meaning is fits when the contrast concerns location outside the home country.
Example: A writer can set “Foreign” against “Local” when the sentence turns on fits when the contrast concerns location outside the home country.
Nonlocal
The wording “Nonlocal” is appropriate as a contrast when fits when the contrast concerns something originating outside the immediate area is the sense being reversed.
Example: Where “Local” carries the idea of fits when the contrast concerns something originating outside the immediate area, “Nonlocal” can mark a useful reversal of meaning.
Overseas
“Overseas” can contrast with “Local” when the relevant sense involves fits when the contrast concerns location outside the home country.
Example: The wording “Overseas” works as a contrast when the surrounding context involves fits when the contrast concerns location outside the home country.
Faraway
Use “Faraway” as an opposite to “Local” where the context is about fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Example: A sentence opposing “Local” may use “Faraway” if the intended issue is fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Worldwide
“Worldwide” moves away from “Local” most clearly in contexts involving fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: For the sense of “Local” connected with fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope, “Worldwide” can sit on the other side of the contrast.
Transnational
Choose “Transnational” when the sentence needs a contrast to the sense of “Local” connected with fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: An editor could use “Transnational” to oppose “Local” in writing concerned with fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
External
“External” provides a contextual opposite where “Local” refers to fits when the contrast concerns something originating outside the immediate area.
Example: When a sentence needs the reverse of “Local” in the sense of fits when the contrast concerns something originating outside the immediate area, “External” is one option.
Far-flung
The contrast with “Local” is strongest when “Far-flung” is used in a context about fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Example: The term “Far-flung” can create a clear contrast with “Local” when the topic is fits when the contrast concerns physical distance.
Distributed
“Distributed” can sit on the other side of “Local” when the intended meaning involves fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope.
Example: In a passage about fits when the contrast concerns broader geographical scope, “Distributed” may be a better opposing choice than a looser antonym.
Choosing the Right Contrast to “Local”
"Remote", "distant", and "faraway" contrast physical nearness; "national", "international", and "global" contrast geographical scope; "foreign" and "overseas" depend on viewpoint.