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
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
From its beginnings, Miami has been shaped by a continuous wave of newcomers, political exiles, migrants fleeing economic crises, people feeding devastation after hurricanes, or seeking new opportunities, even from other parts of the country.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Many of the exiles have grown dejected.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 9 Dec. 2025
The tables where exiles once argued over elections and strategies for change now feel subdued.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
No World Cup has been less about the self-aggrandizement of the hosts and yet no World Cup has ever been so overtly political as the 1938 tournament, as exiles from Germany and Italy took the opportunity to make very public their opposition to fascism.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
From its beginnings, Miami has been shaped by a continuous wave of newcomers, political exiles, migrants fleeing economic crises, people feeding devastation after hurricanes, or seeking new opportunities, even from other parts of the country.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Many of the exiles have grown dejected.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 9 Dec. 2025
The tables where exiles once argued over elections and strategies for change now feel subdued.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
No World Cup has been less about the self-aggrandizement of the hosts and yet no World Cup has ever been so overtly political as the 1938 tournament, as exiles from Germany and Italy took the opportunity to make very public their opposition to fascism.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
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 country currently shelters nearly 2 million refugees, the most in Africa.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The Arabs deliberately placed the Arab refugees and their descendants in refugee camps as pawns in the propaganda war against Israel.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, on Broadway, the Wizard only leaves because Glinda banishes him after uncovering more of his secrets.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
21 Nov. 2025
-
Glinda, radicalized by Elphaba’s sacrifice and goodliness, returns to the Emerald City, banishes the bad guys, and becomes a benevolent and righteous dictator for all of Oz.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Ross added that his department has repeatedly offered help limited to crowd management, not deportations or federal enforcement duties, to ensure the safety of both agents and demonstrators.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
A number of Venezuelans who were sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador and subsequently returned to Venezuela have tried to challenge their deportations in US courts.—
Flora Charner,
CNN Money,
10 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
-
Loaded with questions and crimes, the Syrian train transports its people to the present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Riddled with tantalizing intrigue, back street collusion and heroic acts in the face of danger, Gediman's podcast transports listeners to a time which has been left out of history books.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exiles. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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