townies

plural of townie
1
as in natives
a usually longtime resident of a locality the townies are dismayed that all the venerable manses around the village green are being bought as vacation homes by rich interlopers

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2
as in citizens
a person who lives in a town on a permanent basis the university board met with an association representing the townies to figure out a solution to the problems created by off-campus parties

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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 townies Friedlich hangs a lot of The Holes’s emotional bent on the dynamic between Joey and Carson, as two lonely townies who have spent a lot of their lives misunderstanding each other. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 These were not preppy tourist kids but townies with townie buzz cuts. — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 In the episode's final moments, Clint and several bloodthirsty townies descend upon the Black Spot with guns. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025 The firm stand against gentrification taken in its onscreen narrative, about middle-class townies crowding out longstanding local businesses, also felt indicative of Jenkins’ place in a film industry intent on adopting newer, slicker, more commercial methods. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025 Scripted Set in the doomsday-fearing year 1999, The WONDERfools is a comedy action adventure that follows a group of awkward townies who unexpectedly gain superpowers and take on villains threatening the peace of Haeseong City. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for townies
Noun
  • Nemacolin is privately owned and operated by the Hardy family, Pennsylvania natives who made their name and fortunes in the lumber industry.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Other Miami natives involved with the production showed up for the cameras, like the play’s choreographer Patricia Delgado, a Coral Reef Senior High graduate.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Both homeowners and farmers can benefit from the work, and all citizens benefit from a stronger food system and water management program.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24, both Dominican citizens, are accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • DeSantis also warned residents far outside the cone to watch for tornadoes, which can spawn before the core of Isaias moves ashore.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Older residents here repeat a mantra that the country has been through worse, notably when Iraq launched Scud missiles in 1991 during the first Gulf War.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sea turtles now nest on the secluded sandy beach that’s for all intents and purposes private, save for villagers occasionally visiting the small oceanfront temple for ceremonies.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The villagers were allowed to return home late Monday afternoon, though a cordon remained around the three vehicles, police said.
    — ALASTAIR GRANT, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Townies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/townies. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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