Synonyms of refugee

refugee

noun

ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē 

as in exile

a person forced to emigrate for political reasons

refugees began returning to their homeland after years of political unrest and war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exile
• fugitive
• alien
• émigré
• expatriate
• patriot
• evacuee
• deportee
• expat
• outcast
• pariah
• loyalist
• castoff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refugee

The dire economic conditions resulted in one in four Venezuelans, nearly 8 million people, fleeing the country as refugees, creating a massive migration crisis across the Americas. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026

The case centers on the Cuban government shooting down two Brothers to the Rescue flights, a civilian rescue group dedicated to saving refugees fleeing the authoritarian Castro regime — then run by Raul Castro’s older brother Fidel. — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Rights groups have condemned the deportations, saying returnees – particularly the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group that accounts for most of Malaysia’s refugees – will face violence, persecution, and forced conscription. — Lindsey McGinnis, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Trump has vastly expanded ICE to ramp up deportations of immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and the agency was a major part of last year’s law-enforcement surge in the Chicago area known as Operation Midway Blitz. — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026