expatriate 1 of 3

noun

ek-ˈspā-trē-ət How to pronounce expatriate (audio)
Definition of expatriatenext
as in refugee
a person forced to emigrate for political reasons while in exile, the deposed king was accompanied by a small band of loyal expatriates

Synonyms & Similar Words

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expatriate

2 of 3

verb

ek-ˈspā-trē-ˌāt How to pronounce expatriate (audio)
as in to exile
to force to leave a country members of the deposed dictator's once-feared political party were expatriated as well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expatriate

3 of 3

adjective

as in immigrant

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Dissimilar Words

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 expatriate
Noun
It’s loosely based on an actual Chilean colony where German expatriates tortured prisoners at the behest of General Pinochet. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 The Gulf states are home to several million Indian and Pakistani expatriates, and the region supplies much of the oil and gas on which both nations depend. — Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026
Verb
An August survey by Remitly found that having a better quality of life is the top reason Americans want to expatriate. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025 During the ensuing chaos that followed, Charles fled the country, secretly expatriating to Europe. — Hazlitt, 18 June 2025
Adjective
Wolter, as quixotic expatriate Russian Countess Lily, channels peak era Carol Burnett in this raucous comedy duet. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 June 2026 His post oversees seven Western states and one of the largest Israeli expatriate populations in the world. — Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for expatriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expatriate
  1. refugee
  2. exile
  3. immigrant
  4. banish
  5. foreign
Noun
  • More than 6 million Afghans fled to neighboring Iran and Pakistan, but both those countries have kicked out nearly all their Afghan refugees in recent years—even Afghans who arrived back in 1979, during the Soviet invasion.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Harborview is the safety net hospital in the Seattle region for non-English speaking refugees and immigrants.
    — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of refugee
Verb
  • Located in Jerusalem, al-Wasiti became, for years, the place to visit, empowering Palestinian artists exiled all over the world to return to a fountain of unity and belonging.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This thriller centers on disgraced or damaged agents of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service who have been exiled to a remote Greek island.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of exile
Adjective
  • Its offerings cater to East Charlotte’s immigrant community, which is largely South Asian and Latino.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The video was set to an upbeat Haitian song, its imagery prompting outrage and condemnation from Haitians and immigrant rights activists.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of immigrant
Verb
  • The Legislature passed late Sunday a bill that would banish lobbyists convicted of corruption from the Capitol for 12 years.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Any doubts over whether that deal would be concluded would have been banished as soon as Riad was taken off.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of banish
Adjective
  • Maduro’s lawyers argued in papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court that the indictment must be dismissed because heads of sovereign states are immune from criminal prosecution in foreign courts.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The recent changes followed reports that some foreign residents had been driving up home prices or evading payments for their public health insurance.
    — Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of foreign

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expatriate
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Cite this Entry

“Expatriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expatriate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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