Definitions

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.

She encourages retraining and better schemes to bring young people, refugees, veterans and older workers into the workforce.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Schreiber called the ruling important for government efforts to bring about a more "effective and fair system to manage refugees and asylum seekers".

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The arrival of refugees fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Sudan in recent months has further raised tensions over resources and security.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Born in London to Hungarian refugees who fled their homeland during the 1956 revolution, Hilton grew up in a household without much money.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

By summertime, Cornwallis had put many of the African American refugees to work in Yorktown, digging trenches and building fortifications.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis