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 2018, the arrival of more than 500 Yemeni refugees brought domestic criticism and protests.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

High Commissioner for Refugees, responsible for the rest of the world, has long stopped dealing with refugees from the many wars and dislocations of the 1940s.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

For net migration comparisons, only countries that include asylum seekers or refugees in their immigration figures are included.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Cherifa, who is in her sixties, was one of about 10 Malian refugees who spoke to AFP from neighbouring Mauritania about the brutal violence meted out against civilians.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

In the air above, Miss Sarah and Miss Rose carried a large basket of additional refugees between them as they flapped to the shore.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia