abolitionism

noun

ab·​o·​li·​tion·​ism ˌa-bə-ˈli-shə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce abolitionism (audio)
: principles or measures promoting the abolition especially of slavery
among the New Englanders committed to abolitionism

Examples of abolitionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
From snark to high-minded abolitionism Newspapers had been around for centuries, but as American rates of literacy rose, millions of ordinary citizens became daily news junkies. Jon Grinspan, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024 The obvious difference between anti-speciesism and abolitionism or women’s liberation, of course, is that the oppressed are not the same species as their oppressors and lack the capacity to rationally voice arguments or organize on their own behalf. Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024 Rising like a wedding cake, the piece is an exploration on the themes of colonial enslavement, abolitionism, and activism. Mitchell Owens, Architectural Digest, 2 Aug. 2024 The passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, which compelled authorities in the north to arrest those who had escaped slavery in the south as well as those who helped the self-emancipated, did much to activate a greater interest in abolitionism. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for abolitionism 

Word History

Etymology

abolition + -ism

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abolitionism was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near abolitionism

Cite this Entry

“Abolitionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolitionism. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on abolitionism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!