1
as in expulsions
the forced removal from a homeland
the exile of French settlers from Nova Scotia resulted in the birth of the Cajun community in the U.S.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refugees
a person forced to emigrate for political reasons
after being overthrown in a coup, the dictator spent the remainder of his life as an exile in a string of less-than-welcoming countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in banishes
to force to leave a country
with their conquest of the Moors complete, Ferdinand and Isabella next exiled the Jews from Spain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exiles
Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Legal cases in Spain Concerns over Rodríguez Torres’ human-rights record have also reached Spanish courts, where a group of Venezuelan exiles filed a criminal complaint accusing him of torture and crimes against humanity.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Dogu will be tasked with navigating Venezuela’s fractured opposition, which includes leaders inside the country, exiles abroad and figures struggling for influence in a potential transition.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Days before the party, the State Department allocated nearly $7 million to support Tibetan exiles in South Asia.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Antonio and Gelasia Cao founded the bakery after migrating from Cuba to Miami as political exiles.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Installing exiles with no domestic base is a recipe for failure.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
There are 8 million Venezuelan exiles who, if they could be persuaded to return, might make a difference.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
The exiles who fled immediately after the 1959 revolution for political reasons constitute a smaller share of the overall Cuban diaspora than commonly assumed.
—Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Legal cases in Spain Concerns over Rodríguez Torres’ human-rights record have also reached Spanish courts, where a group of Venezuelan exiles filed a criminal complaint accusing him of torture and crimes against humanity.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Dogu will be tasked with navigating Venezuela’s fractured opposition, which includes leaders inside the country, exiles abroad and figures struggling for influence in a potential transition.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Days before the party, the State Department allocated nearly $7 million to support Tibetan exiles in South Asia.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Antonio and Gelasia Cao founded the bakery after migrating from Cuba to Miami as political exiles.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Installing exiles with no domestic base is a recipe for failure.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
There are 8 million Venezuelan exiles who, if they could be persuaded to return, might make a difference.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exiles
Noun
-
Johnson said before the demonstrations that students who participate in the protests will be marked absent from class, but would not be disciplined, such as with suspensions or expulsions.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The fallout led to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats, disruption of visa services, reduced consular staffing and a freeze on trade talks.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Greece has long been a favored gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
America was the multicultural sanctuary that took in refugees like my parents by the tens of thousands and welcomed them into our land.—
Dr. Michael Good,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Koala Eco’s Natural Multi-Purpose cleaner banishes stubborn condiment stains and leaves a fragrant mandarin scent.—
Kristin Corpuz,
Architectural Digest,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, on Broadway, the Wizard only leaves because Glinda banishes him after uncovering more of his secrets.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Noem and Lewandowski frequently berate staff, dismiss the expertise of career law-enforcement officials, and fly around the country on a luxury jet with a private rear cabin that is supposed to be used for deportations, according to the Journal.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Seeing young people speak out against racial profiling, deportations without due process and families being torn apart is both heartbreaking and hopeful and a powerful reminder of how urgent this moment is.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Robby relegates Langdon to triage for now — there’s less of a chance the two will run into each other that way.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ed’s high-paying job allows (or relegates) Jess to be a stay-at-home mum, her life devoted to (and circumscribed by) her children.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Set within the four-block Faena District, the hotel transports guests to the fantastical world of founder Alan Faena, and it’s filled with incredible art, dining, and wellness options.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Iron Iron is an essential mineral needed to make hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen.—
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exiles. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
