First syllable on both.

Re fu gee
Re fuge
But I’m guessing.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refugee
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuge
says I’m wrong.

Just like they say it on the website howjsay.com http://howjsay.com/index.php?word=refuge&submit=Submit

Refuge: ref-you-sh. In Kansas, however, we just say “trash.”

Refugee: Ref-u-gee.

@Dutchess_III It’s refuge not refuse.

REF uge
and
REF u GEE

First syllable on both, like @stanleybmanly said.

Play for your family the Tom Petty song “Don’t have to live like a refugee.”

REF uge
REF ugee (because Tom Petty says so)
ref UG ia (just to throw one more into the mix)

@jca Same thought. Here.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=refugee+tom+petty&form=PRUSEN&pc=U146&mkt=en-us&refig=1806918d8bbb42748b5f308f7994642a&qs=AS&pq=refugee+tom&sc=8-11&sp=1&cvid=1806918d8bbb42748b5f308f7994642a

But Refugio beach just up the coast from Santa Barbara is Ray-foo- hee-oh

With the accent on the “hee”?

REF-uge
and
REF-U-gee
But I admit I’ve been known to interchange the pronunciation given the other person in the conversation. I’m comfortable with all the pronunciations.

Then there are ref-u-GEES.

Being in General now prohibits me from bringing up the Bee Gees, thank the gourd!

I say “REF uge” and “ref u GEE”
Dictionary.com has these pronunciations as well, and also mentions “REF u gee”.

Thanks! Seems like there are several options, then. We all said

REF ugee, and REF uge.

Then, we were confused. We are going to stick to our original pronunciation, I think.

I can’t say REF-u-gee(s), @longgone, without concentrating.

And the verbal pronunciation on Dictionary.com is clearly ref-u-Gee, contrary to my personal use.

You don’t want to wade into a family dispute too deeply and have to backtrack.

I thought you do stress the first syllable, but I see you are stressing the first two. I can’t imagine hoe that works. Are you sure you aren’t just stressing the middle part?

You have a point.