refugee

noun

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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

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 More than half of the six million people who have fled Ukraine since the conflict began have gone to neighboring Poland, according to the United Nations refugee agency. — Vivian Salama, WSJ, 16 May 2022 With the war in Ukraine approaching three months, more than 6 million people have fled the country since Russian troops invaded on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. refugee agency. — Andrew Dampf, ajc, 16 May 2022 More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, according to the UN refugee agency. — Alex Horton, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2022 More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began, according to an Associated Press report citing recent figures from the United Nations refugee agency. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 14 May 2022 More than 6 million people have fled Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, according to the UN refugee agency. — Katya Soldak, Forbes, 13 May 2022 About 7,000 Ukrainians cross the border and arrive in Romania daily, said Pablo Zapata, the Romanian representative for the U.N. refugee agency, the AP reported. — Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 May 2022 Nearly 6 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled their country since Russia's invasion, according to the U.N. refugee agency. — Arkansas Online, 7 May 2022 The number of people who have fled Russia's war in Ukraine has now surpassed 5.5 million, according to the United Nations refugee agency. — NBC News, 2 May 2022 See More

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.

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near refugee

refuge

refugee

refugium

Statistics for refugee

Last Updated

22 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Refugee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refugee. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for refugee

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)