ex·ile
ˈeg-ˌzī(-ə)l 
ˈek-ˌsī(-ə)l
ˈek-ˌsī(-ə)l
1
a
: the state or a period of forced absence from one's country or home
b
: the state or a period of voluntary absence from one's country or home
2
: a person who is in exile
exiled; exiling
: to banish or expel from one's own country or home
Synonyms
Examples of exile in a Sentence
Noun
They hoped that his exile would be temporary.
Many chose to live as exiles rather than face persecution.
Verb
with their conquest of the Moors complete, Ferdinand and Isabella next exiled the Jews from Spain
Recent Examples on the Web
Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
These security concerns have been sharpened by the Kremlin’s growing determination to punish opponents in exile, after largely stamping out dissent at home.
—Tomas Dapkus, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exile 
Noun
While the Captain would prefer to stay in Vietnam, shed his cover, and celebrate the VC victory, his childhood best friend turned handler Man (Duy Nguyen) orders him to follow and report back on the General in exile.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
These security concerns have been sharpened by the Kremlin’s growing determination to punish opponents in exile, after largely stamping out dissent at home.
—Tomas Dapkus, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exile
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exile
Cite this Entry
“Exile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exile. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exile
2 of 2 verb
exiled; exiling
: to force to leave one's own country or home
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