There are a number of synonyms that can be used in place of the phrase "les miserables," which means "the miserable ones" in French. Some of these include "the impoverished," "the destitute," "the disadvantaged," "the underprivileged," "the needy," "the oppressed," and "the downtrodden." These terms all describe groups of people who are experiencing hardship or difficulty in their lives, often due to economic, social, or political factors. While "les miserables" may be a specific reference to the characters in Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, these synonyms can be used more broadly to describe similar situations and populations around the world.