Foundlings refer to orphaned or abandoned children who are found and taken in by others. One common synonym for foundlings is abandoned orphans, which aptly describes the state in which these children are found. Another word that can be used in place of foundlings is waifs, which can also refer to any homeless or neglected person. Castaways is another synonym for foundlings that connotes the sense of being left adrift and alone. Some other synonyms for foundlings include strays, foundlings, or deserted children. These words all capture the essence of a child who has been left without parents or a home, and communicates the complexity of their situation.