Definition of deportnext

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 He originally was supposed to be deported in November, but suffered chest pains and was hospitalized just before boarding his flight. Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 One video pairs photos of Trump with the swooning sound of a Taylor Swift song; another mashes up a video snippet of the comedian Theo Von and shots of immigrants getting deported. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026 With some of them on a plane was Kilmar Abrego García, a Salvadoran who was deported as a result of an administrative error. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 Gibson, 38, was ordered to be deported, apparently because of a 2008 drug conviction that was later dismissed. Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deport
Verb
  • He was detained by British authorities, imprisoned at the Atlit camp and exiled to Cyprus for nearly two years.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Directors, actors, writers and musicians have been jailed, exiled or silenced simply for telling their stories or advocating for freedom.
    Maryam Lieberman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After a two-week trial, a jury acquitted Gonzales on all counts after seven hours of deliberations, prompting frustration from some of the families of victims who attended the trial.
    James Scholz, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Adrian Gonzales, 52, was acquitted on 29 counts of child abandonment and endangerment.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Even the name Greenland taps into antiquity thanks to Erik the Red, who was banished here in 982, found a sheltered, green fjord to call home, and named the place Greenland, an embellishment to lure other Norsemen west.
    Tim Neville, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
  • But even scarier than choosing which of your three pals to banish is the mission awaiting them in the cabin.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Three agents are then seen carrying the man away from the scene by his arms and one of his legs.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Art carries wellness benefits, as well.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Happily for those who do want alcohol, the team didn't relegate their care and creativity to the boozeless drinks—the menu has hits from top to bottom.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Jan. 2026
  • At this point, should humanity just be relegated to the irradiated scrapheap?
    Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • With a few notable exceptions like taxes, deregulations and the occasional bombing, those in power seem to behave like Democrats in Republican clothing.
    Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
  • In December 2024, Lively filed her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department claiming Baldoni behaved inappropriately on set and coordinated a PR campaign with a crisis firm in an attempt to destroy her reputation.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That means the city can only evict people after a court order, must repair health and safety issues and must also provide accommodations for people with disabilities.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • At one point, a hotel where Abundant Blessings clients were staying threatened to evict them over nonpayment, forcing LAHSA to pay directly for the rooms, despite already having shelled out to Soofer to rent them.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Raiklin calmly taunted Fanone for needing to be restrained.
    Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Their conduct remained nonviolent, verbal, restrained, which matters both morally and legally.
    Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deport. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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