Thesaurus results for REFUGEE

refugee

noun

ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē

Definition of refugee

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

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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 refugee And Europe has become less welcoming to Afghan refugees in recent years. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2026 Those who evade immediate capture may later qualify for refugee status in Canada. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 Some have been stranded in third countries since Washington suspended its refugee admissions program in January 2025 and subsequently imposed sweeping restrictions on the entry of Afghan nationals. — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026 Switzerland has selected Nicolas Wadimoff’s Who is Still Alive, a documentary about nine Palestinian refugees who escaped the violence in Gaza, as its official pick for the 2027 Oscar race in the best international feature category. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refugee

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refugee

Noun

Others are organizing underground schools to fill gaps in education and collaborating closely with Afghans in exile to prepare legal action against the Taliban’s abuses.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Castro was captured and later released, then went into exile in Mexico.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of exile

Noun

Narez later fled the country and remained a fugitive for nearly three decades, authorities said.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Matthew Christopher Flores Semyonov, 27, is considered a fugitive from the law after his parents’ remains were found in the backyard of their Litchfield Park, Ariz.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fugitive

Noun

Stitch’s love interest Angel, a pink alien, was shown in a new image with glowing antennae.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Binface, who was first to declare and already a running joke in British elections, drew the most attention because of his satirical spin on politics and persona as a space alien from the planet Sigma IX.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of alien

Noun

Likewise, the Relief Procedures for Certain Former Citizens provides a pathway for eligible former citizens with minimal tax liability to resolve outstanding filing obligations without becoming covered expatriates.

— Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
His success in the States landed him on the Israeli reality series The Americans, which follows Israeli expatriates chasing the American dream in the United States.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Definition of expatriate

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refuged

refugee

refugees

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“Refugee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refugee. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of refugee

noun

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