From Old French exil (verb exiler), ultimately from Latin exilium ‘banishment’, from exire ‘to go out’.
exile
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A forced separation from one's home or country.
Examples
- The authorities are exiling political opponents.
- The writer became an exile after the war.
- She wrote a memoir about her exile in a distant land.
- He went into exile after being accused of treason.
- He befriended an exile from his own country.
Similar words
remove
stateless person
deportation
go abroad
expatriate
expel
banish
banishment
take refuge
ostracism
Meanings
State of forced or voluntary absence from one's home
noun
political
neutral
A condition in which a person lives away from their native country or home, often because of political reasons.
Examples
- The poet spent his later years in exile after the revolution.
- Many artists find inspiration while living in exile.
- She wrote a memoir about her exile in a distant land.
- The government's crackdown forced several journalists into exile.
- His exile lasted ten years before he was allowed to return.
Similar words
banishment
expulsion
deportation
displacement
removal
forced migration
ostracism
exodus
Banish from a country or home
verb
political
neutral
To force someone to leave their native country or home and not return, usually as a punishment.
Examples
- The regime exiled the dissident for speaking out.
- They plan to exile anyone who opposes the new law.
- The council voted to exile the corrupt official.
- He was exiled without trial.
- The authorities are exiling political opponents.
Similar words
banish
deport
expel
displace
oust
drive out
remove
send away
Person living away from home
noun
political
neutral
A person who lives away from their native country or home, often because of political reasons.
Examples
- The writer became an exile after the war.
- She met an exile who had fled her homeland.
- Many exiles gather at the community center.
- He befriended an exile from his own country.
- The novel follows an exile searching for identity.
Similar words
refugee
emigrant
expatriate
outcast
displaced person
asylee
stateless person
wanderer
Go into exile
verb
political
neutral
To leave one’s own country and live elsewhere, usually by choice or necessity.
Examples
- After the coup, the opposition leader went into exile.
- She decided to go into exile to avoid persecution.
- Many activists went into exile when the regime changed.
- He went into exile after being accused of treason.
- The family went into exile for safety.
Similar words
flee
escape
take refuge
seek asylum
abscond
withdraw
go abroad
retreat
Etymology
FAQ
What does exile mean?
It is a forced separation from one's home or country.
What does the noun exile mean as a state of forced or voluntary absence?
It is a state in which a person lives away from their native country or home, often because of political reasons.
How is exile used as a verb meaning to banish someone?
It means to force someone to leave their native country or home and not return, usually as a punishment.
What does the noun exile refer to when describing a person living away from home?
It refers to a person who lives away from their native country or home, often because of political reasons.
How do you use exile as a verb meaning to go into exile?
It means to leave one’s own country and live elsewhere, usually by choice or necessity.
What are some synonyms for exile as a noun meaning forced separation?
banishment, expulsion, deportation, displacement, removal, forced migration, ostracism, exodus.
What are some synonyms for exile as a verb meaning to banish?
banish, deport, expel, displace, oust, drive out, remove, send away.
What are some synonyms for exile as a noun meaning a person living away?
refugee, emigrant, expatriate, outcast, displaced person, asylee, stateless person, wanderer.
What is the origin of exile?
It comes from Old French exil (verb exiler), ultimately from Latin exilium ‘banishment’, from exire ‘to go out’.
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