exile 1 of 2

1
as in expulsion
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.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in refugee
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

exile

2 of 2

verb

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How does the verb exile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exile are banish, deport, and transport. While all these words mean "to remove by authority from a state or country," 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 would banish be a good substitute for exile?

The synonyms banish and exile are sometimes interchangeable, but banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's own.

banished for seditious activities

When is deport a more appropriate choice than exile?

Although the words deport and exile have much in common, 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 transport be a better fit than exile?

The words transport and exile can be used in similar contexts, but 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 exile
Noun
This radio, like the others, is staffed by exiles, eager to provide accurate information to people back home. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 1 Apr. 2025 The 34-year-old exile was working for the British consulate in Hong Kong when Beijing tightened its grip on the region. Cora Engelbrecht, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Tapping into a political vacuum With most Awami League leaders either exiled or imprisoned, and uncertainty about their participation, a political vacuum is forming that Islam wants to tap into. Shamim Chowdhury, NPR, 27 Mar. 2025 Later down the line, after being summoned to resolve a conflict that was a front for the Emperor’s treachery, Khazan was deemed a traitor to the empire, and he and his comrades — like Ozma — were executed or exiled for aiding a traitor. Scott McRae, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exile
Noun
  • Protesters have called for the expulsion of Haitian migrants during incidents that have turned violent.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The outcome of that review may determine that financial fines or expulsion from future competition is necessary.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Among them are World Relief Texas, a Christian humanitarian organization focused on aiding refugees and other immigrants; Catholic Charities Fort Worth; and the Junior League of Fort Worth’s MINTS program, which stands for Mentoring, Inspiring, Nurturing, Tutoring and Supporting.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
  • In 1989, a racially motivated school shooting at Cleveland Elementary killed four Cambodian children and one of Vietnamese descent, all children of refugees.
    Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 15 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
Noun
  • The real crisis is the lack of due process in the deportations, to take the first example, and the president’s assumption of Congress’s power to levy taxes, to take the second.
    Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The senator's effort comes amid mounting legal and political pressure over the deportation.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
  • Among those deported was Abrego Garcia, who lives in Maryland with his wife and children.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration is stonewalling the judge who ordered it to facilitate the return to the United States of the alien the administration illegally deported to El Salvador and lodged in a notorious prison there, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
    Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The second victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • That person was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable, according to the sheriff's office.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exile. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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