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

The issue here though is not that refugees are given special priority, but that homeless people seeking temporary accommodation can be prioritised over those who are not homeless, but are waiting for permanent accommodation.

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

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

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

So I set out with the other refugees for the Sudanese town of Pochala, not far from the Ethiopian border.

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