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.

The attacks come as sensitivities around migrants have grown in parts of Germany following a large influx of asylum seekers and refugees in 2015.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

He is the son of refugees who fled communist Vietnam and grew up in the San Gabriel Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

However both the Scottish government and Shelter Scotland say restoring a local connection rule would make no difference in terms of refugees, because it never applied to them.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Enchassi had grown up in Lebanon, in a family of Palestinian refugees.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

“I heard word that there are thousands of refugees from the North who are heading south. The trains are packed full and the roads are clogged with refugees.”

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh