thrall

1 of 2

noun

plural thralls
Synonyms of thrallnext
1
a
: a state of servitude or submission
usually used with in
in thrall to his emotions
b
: a state of complete absorption
usually used with in
… mountains could hold me in thrall with a subtle attraction of their own …Elyne Mitchell
2
a
: an enslaved person who performs the duties of a servant : bond servant
also : serf
b
: a person in moral or mental servitude
thrall adjective
thralldom noun
or thraldom

thrall

2 of 2

verb

thralled; thralling; thralls

Synonyms of thrall

Examples of thrall in a Sentence

Noun I'm not your thrall, so you'll have to pick up after yourself. a people who still bear the scars of having been in thrall for so many years
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Living in Jack's shadow is timid Simon (Ike Talburt) who is easily bullied, unable to resist Jack's thrall and authority. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 May 2026 But the Biden administration, in the thrall of progressive economic policy that views productive business endeavors with the utmost suspicion, soon stepped in. Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026 The cult of Santa Muerte could, of course, be said to be in the thrall of that fantasy, but the same could be said of the cult’s main antagonist, the Catholic Church, which has vociferously denounced the movement. Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026 Of course, most of the humans living in thrall to the Matrix, both in the Wachowskis’ original film and its sequels, do not have that choice. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrall

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English thral, from Old English thræl, from Old Norse thræll

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrall was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrall. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

thrall

noun
ˈthrȯl
1
: an enslaved person
2
a
: a state of servitude or submission
in thrall to his emotions
b
: a state of complete attention
the play held me in thrall
thralldom noun
or thraldom
ˈthrȯl-dəm

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