refugees

NOUN

person running from something, often oppression

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alien displaced person emigrant evacuee exile expatriate foreigner

STRONG

DP castaway defector derelict deserter escapee foundling fugitive leper maroon outcast outlaw prodigal renegade runaway

WEAK

boat person expellee homeless person stateless person émigré

Antonyms

STRONGEST

citizen national native

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1939, more than 900 Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi Germany aboard the MS St. Louis were turned away by Cuba and the United States.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

For now, there is no major exodus of refugees from Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Government statistics show it spent £2.8bn, or 20% of its aid budget, supporting refugees in the UK in 2024.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

For Rohingya refugees like Shah Alam, the journey is extremely dangerous.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

As the Russians retreated in Poland, abandoning town after town to the Germans, terrified refugees were fleeing in all directions.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman