Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deport contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deport are banish, exile, and transport. While all these words mean "to remove by authority from a state or country," deport implies sending out of the country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence is judged inimical to the public welfare.

illegal aliens will be deported

When might banish be a better fit than deport?

In some situations, the words banish and deport are roughly equivalent. However, banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's own.

banished for seditious activities

When is it sensible to use exile instead of deport?

The synonyms exile and deport are sometimes interchangeable, but exile may imply compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence from one's own country.

a writer who exiled himself for political reasons

When is transport a more appropriate choice than deport?

The meanings of transport and deport largely overlap; however, transport implies sending a convicted criminal to an overseas penal colony.

a convict who was transported to Australia

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 deport Khalil’s lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to deport him for an activity that is protected by the 1st Amendment. Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025 An immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil can be deported from the U.S. due to his involvement in leading last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025 The document listed Bulls and Jordan apparel as one of only three physical identifiers for field agents to detain and potentially deport young Venezuelan men. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 The federal government could also appeal any decision that finds he cannot be deported. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deport
Verb
  • The powerful producer Scott Rudin was exiled from entertainment after accusations of bullying.
    Matthew Cullen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Soon, though, we were all exiled—I was arrested, just picked up off the street and thrown in jail.
    Corey Seymour, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Cynthia was convicted at trial of child neglect but acquitted of murder, the Washington Post reported; Dominique pleaded guilty in November to child neglect charges.
    Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Italy's highest court acquitted the now-37-year-old of murder in 2015.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Each player was banished from his professional sport for life.
    Martin Edel, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Inspired by a children’s book series by Colin Thompson, this movie focuses on an evil king (who happens to be Betty’s grandfather) who banished music and magic from the land.
    Dina Gachman, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, two adults and three children, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, officials said during a press briefing.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • For all their strong-arm tactics, these two carry themselves as formidable businessmen.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There followed a surreal half-time chat between Chapman and Poyet about his dismissal, with the game relegated to a sideshow, as fellow pundit Efan Ekoku shifted awkwardly in his seat.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The herb once relegated to savory cooking has begun popping up in cocktails, as more bartenders enlist its unique flavor to liven up recipes.
    Kevin Gray, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rourke's confrontation with Siwa came just days after the actor was called out for behaving inappropriately toward host AJ Odudu while entering the house.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The males that lived near busy roadways behaved more aggressively than those living farther away by approaching the speaker closely and repeatedly swooping low over it, probably in search of the intruder.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • He was being evicted from the property where the animals resided and allegedly denied access when authorities took him into custody Wednesday.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Denying lawyers for the unemployed and evicted In some counties that have invested in public defender offices, indigent defense has been transformed.
    Ilana Panich-Linsman, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rosemary restrained herself from scratching at her wig.
    Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data.
    Dylan Peers McCoy, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deport. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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