1
as in expulsions
the forced removal from a homeland
the exile of French settlers from Nova Scotia resulted in the birth of the Cajun community in the U.S.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refugees
a person forced to emigrate for political reasons
after being overthrown in a coup, the dictator spent the remainder of his life as an exile in a string of less-than-welcoming countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in banishes
to force to leave a country
with their conquest of the Moors complete, Ferdinand and Isabella next exiled the Jews from Spain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exiles
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The Rubio factor In the past, many Cuban exiles and Cuban American hardliners have strongly opposed negotiations with the Cuban government.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Nearly a week into the communications blackout, and with stories of extreme state violence leaking out, Abbasi and his fellow exiles seemed desperate to have their case taken up by as broad a public as possible, one that bridges partisan politics.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Installing exiles with no domestic base is a recipe for failure.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
There are 8 million Venezuelan exiles who, if they could be persuaded to return, might make a difference.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The plan was to use exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The sons of Cuban exiles in Miami got their shot.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
Kurdish exiles claim Iranian attack in Iraq The National Army of Kurdistan, the armed wing of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, or PAK, claimed Iran launched an attack against one of its bases near Irbil, some 200 miles north of Baghdad.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The Rubio factor In the past, many Cuban exiles and Cuban American hardliners have strongly opposed negotiations with the Cuban government.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Nearly a week into the communications blackout, and with stories of extreme state violence leaking out, Abbasi and his fellow exiles seemed desperate to have their case taken up by as broad a public as possible, one that bridges partisan politics.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Installing exiles with no domestic base is a recipe for failure.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
There are 8 million Venezuelan exiles who, if they could be persuaded to return, might make a difference.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The plan was to use exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The sons of Cuban exiles in Miami got their shot.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exiles
Noun
-
The fallout led to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats, disruption of visa services, reduced consular staffing and a freeze on trade talks.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The district reported nearly 10,000 suspensions and expulsions for the 2024-25 school year, according to the data.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Hmong ethnic group began migrating to Minnesota in the 1970s as refugees.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The program, which is funded by $250 million that was originally meant for helping to resettle refugees, is meant to reduce deportation costs.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Koala Eco’s Natural Multi-Purpose cleaner banishes stubborn condiment stains and leaves a fragrant mandarin scent.—
Kristin Corpuz,
Architectural Digest,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, on Broadway, the Wizard only leaves because Glinda banishes him after uncovering more of his secrets.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Faith in Minnesota alleged more than 2,000 deportations have run through the airport, claiming MSP employees have been detained by ICE at work and while commuting.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But in both places, Republican and Democratic lawmakers were influential in intervening in individual cases to prevent deportations.—
Kelsey Norman,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Robby relegates Langdon to triage for now — there’s less of a chance the two will run into each other that way.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ed’s high-paying job allows (or relegates) Jess to be a stay-at-home mum, her life devoted to (and circumscribed by) her children.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The following year, she was named CEO, becoming the first woman to lead the carrier, which transports some 41 million passengers annually, since its founding in 1933.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Loaded with questions and crimes, the Syrian train transports its people to the present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exiles. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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