The term "boat people" is often used to describe individuals who flee from their country by boat. However, due to the negative connotations associated with the term, it is important to find alternative descriptions. Some synonyms could include "refugees by sea," "asylum seekers on boats," or "oceanic migrants." These phrases better reflect the humanity of individuals seeking safety and do not reduce them to a mere mode of transportation. It is crucial to use language that emphasizes the agency of these individuals and the political and social situations that forced them to flee, rather than classifying them as a sub-category of humanity.