1
as in servant
a person who is considered the property of another person
many American slaves reached freedom in the North through the network known as the Underground Railroad
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in laborer
a person who does very hard or dull work
unappreciated office slaves who perform the necessary but tedious task of filing paperwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to labor
to devote serious and sustained effort
slaving over a hot stove
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slave
Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Defined by exhaustion from slaving away at the ironing board while confronting the latest family crisis, Angela is quite capable of whipping up baloney sandwiches with mayonnaise for all and functions as a wise-cracking, big-hearted den mother.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slave
Noun
For European and American slave traders, iron shackles were seen simply as tools that helped run the transatlantic slave trade.
—Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
After two years away on loan while Leeds were slaving away in the second tier, the winger has returned to find his old No 11 shirt in Brenden Aaronson’s possession.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Defined by exhaustion from slaving away at the ironing board while confronting the latest family crisis, Angela is quite capable of whipping up baloney sandwiches with mayonnaise for all and functions as a wise-cracking, big-hearted den mother.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slave
Noun
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Michelangelo’s to-do lists, on the other hand, were really get-the-servant-to-do lists.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Robin is all but accused of being a runaway servant; Franklin had indeed broken his indenture to his older brother.—
John Swansburg,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Noun
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For human crews, this transformation removes them from hazardous sparks and toxic fumes, shifting their roles from manual laborers to supervisors of a faster, tireless robotic workforce.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
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Then, in a pre-dawn operation, the laborers draped the scaffolding in tarpaulin, before removing the giant metallic letters.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
About 2,700 engineers labored on the project.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
-
Another laboring woman with the same image on her phone.—
Karli Swenson,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
Noun
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That is the standard set for bringing weapons and cellphones into a secure area, safeguarding department property, monitoring the radio, misusing department letterhead, badges or insignia, secondary employment violations, and recommending bondsmen or attorneys to inmates.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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Kim Kardashian, who has advocated for prison reform, paid the bondsman to have Glossip released, her publicist told The Oklahoman.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In reality, though, most workers don’t get to retire on their own terms.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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Protests, backed by workers unions, farmers and supporters of former President Evo Morales, are demanding Paz resign.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Caitlin Clark orchestrates offense Clark struggled to find her shooting touch Tuesday, missing 10 of 15 field goal attempts and seven of eight 3-pointers.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Let’s see who thrives and who struggles now that these two have become ones.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Men were masters over their women, their chattel, and their emotions.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
-
The law turned human beings into chattel, allowing them to be worked, beaten, sold, raped and killed — and France never formally did away with it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
There are luxury resorts that strive to feel like homes, and then there are homes that accidentally become luxury resorts.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
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Impersonators try to embody the whole character, while tribute artists strive for other types of authenticity, like voice and dress.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slave. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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