refugee

noun

ref·u·gee | \ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē,

ˈre-fyu̇-ˌjē\

Definition of refugee

: one that flees especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution

Other Words from refugee Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about refugee

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for refugee

Synonyms

deportee, émigré (also emigré), evacuee, exile, expat [chiefly British], expatriate

Examples of refugee in a Sentence

Thousands of refugees have fled the area. refugees began returning to their homeland after years of political unrest and war

Recent Examples on the Web

Lloyd, under fire for his handling of the migrant crisis, was transferred out of the refugee resettlement branch and to a different division of HHS last week. — Garance Burke And Martha Mendoza, The Seattle Times, "US waived FBI checks on staff at growing teen migrant camp," 28 Nov. 2018 The Pristina train station, in Kosovo's north, served as an arrival point for refugees streaming in from across the region. — Sarah Souli, Condé Nast Traveler, "Kosovo Is an All-Night Party—And Shows No Signs of Slowing Down," 26 Oct. 2018 Some have been converted to shelters for refugees and migrants. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Olympics try more city-friendly bid process: Will it work?," 8 Oct. 2018 There are also other costs of climate change not taken into consideration by the calculations, such as costs incurred by incoming climate refugees and impacts due to trade. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Climate Change May Cost the U.S. More Than Almost Any Other Country," 1 Oct. 2018 Terri’s life today is a far cry from her childhood in an enclave of Cambodian refugees near Stockton, CA. — Peg Rosen, Good Housekeeping, "Blindness Can't Stop Me from Living the Life I Want to Live," 14 Sep. 2018 Since 2012, the Open Homes Program has responded to more than 250 disasters to help evacuees, relief workers, and eventually even refugees. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Airbnb Offers Free Accommodations For Emergency Workers And Evacuees Fleeing Hurricane Florence," 13 Sep. 2018 Hundreds of Rohingya men had gathered in the Unchiprang refugee camp to protest the move, with leaders chanting slogans opposing repatriation. — Jon Emont, WSJ, "Rohingya, Expelled From Myanmar, Refuse Effort to Return Them," 15 Nov. 2018 People granted asylum in the U.S. must receive permission to travel outside of the country by completing a refugee travel document. — Erin Coulehan, Teen Vogue, "What Asylum Means, and Why People Seek It," 13 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'refugee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for refugee

refugee

noun

English Language Learners Definition of refugee

: someone who has been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons

See the full definition for refugee in the English Language Learners Dictionary

refugee

noun

ref·u·gee | \ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē

Kids Definition of refugee

: a person who flees for safety (as from war) usually to a foreign country

refugee

noun

ref·u·gee | \ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē

Legal Definition of refugee

: an individual seeking refuge or asylum especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion)