1
as in slave
a person who is considered the property of another person
an amendment to end the keeping of humans as chattel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in possession
chattels plural
transportable items that one owns
packed up all her chattels and moved to a new state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chattel
There was no forgetting the notorious Confederate prison camps like Andersonville and Salisbury, the Confederate pogrom at Fort Pillow, and the fact that the South had seceded in the first place to perpetuate and expand an elite-serving economy based on human chattel.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2025
Only a racist would dare to defend or dismiss slavery, which stripped Africans of human rights and enslaved them as chattel to pick cotton on Southern plantations.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In many jurisdictions, the appeal of collecting is further enhanced through tax advantage, with sales exempt from capital gains thanks to wine’s classification as a wasting chattel.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
There is no question, the enslaved workers at the Nottoway Plantation during the antebellum era were human chattel.
—Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Time, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chattel
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2025
Only a racist would dare to defend or dismiss slavery, which stripped Africans of human rights and enslaved them as chattel to pick cotton on Southern plantations.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In many jurisdictions, the appeal of collecting is further enhanced through tax advantage, with sales exempt from capital gains thanks to wine’s classification as a wasting chattel.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
There is no question, the enslaved workers at the Nottoway Plantation during the antebellum era were human chattel.
—Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Time, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chattel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chattel
Noun
-
Even during his lifetime, Washington faced criticism for holding slaves.—
John Garrison Marks,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Newsom has thrown himself behind progressive stances on affirmative action, crime, and reparations, having recently signed a bill to create an agency that will deliver restitution to the descendants of slaves.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Zubimendi won possession 12 times during that match — the most by any Arsenal player in a game this season.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Troopers also seized an unregistered gun and ammunition from Cook, who is charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But those are very different things.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Anything tied to the royals will always draw some interest, which actually underscores how difficult things are for Harry and Meghan, as even their titles no longer seem enough to attract audiences to lackluster projects.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to Stephanie Hunt, founder and creative director of The Flairhunter, the trend is now about intentionally curating meaningful objects into living spaces rather than simply layering more stuff.—
Amanda Lauren,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Otherwise, the Werk Room stuff is all fun but inconsequential.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chattel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chattel. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
