Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deport contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deport are banish, exile, and transport. While all these words mean "to remove by authority from a state or country," deport implies sending out of the country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence is judged inimical to the public welfare.

illegal aliens will be deported

When might banish be a better fit than deport?

In some situations, the words banish and deport are roughly equivalent. However, banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's own.

banished for seditious activities

When is it sensible to use exile instead of deport?

The synonyms exile and deport are sometimes interchangeable, but exile may imply compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence from one's own country.

a writer who exiled himself for political reasons

When is transport a more appropriate choice than deport?

The meanings of transport and deport largely overlap; however, transport implies sending a convicted criminal to an overseas penal colony.

a convict who was transported to Australia

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 deport The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, is expected to announce its proposals to reform the rules around what is and is not considered a safe country to deport people to. Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 Immigrants without criminal records have been targeted, in addition to U.S. citizens being detained and deported. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025 The Department of Homeland Security said the mother chose to take her children with her when she was deported, according to a statement posted in X, formerly known as Twitter. Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025 In recent months, U.S. officials have been negotiating with various countries willing to accept individuals deported from the U.S. Earlier this week, Rwanda's foreign minister mentioned that his country is in discussions with Washington about accepting deportees. Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deport
Verb
  • With Waltz exiled to New York, Rubio must keep striving to keep Trump and the U.S. government true to friends like Ukraine and wary of deals with Putin.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • His older sons had become enthusiastic crypto proponents after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol effectively exiled the family business from the mainstream financial system.
    Eric Lipton, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The eight Black Sox players were acquitted on Aug. 2, 1921, after the jury convened for a mere two hours, 47 minutes.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • In what became another shocking tale of luck, Combs was ultimately acquitted on all charges.
    Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Brown fouled out with 2:50 left in the third quarter, banished to the Phantom Zone, hanging up his cape with 20 points on 8-for-20 shooting.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • Honestly, whoever designed this mind-numbing, incomprehensible plan should be banished to an island where they will hopefully be devoured by wildlife.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • In an administration currently running the lowest early-months public opinion rating in modern history, however, Vance’s forcefulness carries long-term risk.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • In 1914, thieves managed to dislodge one of the bronze children and carry it 150 feet before abandoning the 300-pound figure.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • At the time of writing, United are 16th, their lowest ebb since they were last relegated in 1974.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • But the pyramid isn’t an architectural form that’s relegated to history!
    Ashley Gardini, JSTOR Daily, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Police may switch from active pursuit when the driver is speeding or behaving erratically.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
  • Advanced Protection is likely to behave the same way.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • These ordinances are meant to keep neighborhoods safe by evicting dangerous criminals.
    Sidnee King Pineda, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Two people were arrested at a residence in Killingly on Monday after the property owner alleged that he was assaulted and threatened after finding the two men inside the home despite being evicted.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Yet, while our adversaries surge ahead, the Pentagon remains restrained by decision-making processes conceived in the 1960s and barely updated since the 1990s.
    Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Violators could pay up to $200 in fines and up to $250 plus court costs for driving with children who aren't properly restrained.
    Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi, Axios, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deport. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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