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.

"How quickly can I get immigrants and refugees to the stage where they can obtain a work permit and a residence permit? In Germany, that still takes far too long," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

Some 450 refugees and asylum seekers, like Juma, were camped out this month outside the Department of Home Affairs in Durban.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

The clear intent of Congress, as established in the Refugee Act of 1980, is that there is a process for refugees to apply for help once they have gotten to the United States.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

The department said it would allow organisations like universities, community groups and businesses to sponsor refugees who apply to come to Britain, a model based on Canada's asylum system.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

State Department decided to allow certain refugees from the Sudanese civil war into the United States.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau