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
Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
It was reserved only for slaves, criminals and political rebels.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 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
York's life as a slave York was born in Virginia around 1770.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
It was reserved only for slaves, criminals and political rebels.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 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
-
Thank you to the public servants wrestling with impossible decisions.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Digital ethics expert Davi Ottenheimer argued that the presentation evoked both blackface and the fantasy of a controllable Black servant.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Last January, a three-day raid in Kern County where undocumented laborers were arrested set off panic in the Central Valley and other farming regions with large immigrant workforces.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
As the sweep unfolded, dozens of laborers moved methodically through the forest’s steep and muddy terrain.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Like the women who labor here, the mundu chile is sturdy, tough and resilient.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In many years on dairy farms, the worker often labored for 10 hours with no breaks.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both appeared in court and bonded out of jail the next day - the Camry driver for $500 cash, Morton for $50,000 via a bail bondsman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In Florida, a defendant usually pays 10% of the total bond amount to a bondsman to bail out of jail.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hospitality union represents roughly 2,000 workers at the arena, potentially disrupting one of the biggest sporting events in the world.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
In April 2009, a unanimous council — including first-year member Todd Gloria — embraced Sanders’ plan to impose a 6% cut in pay and benefits for city workers, cutting the shortfall in half.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite plenty of sunshine on Monday, high temperatures may struggle to reach 60° with a blustery and cool wind much of the day.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
School board candidates endorsed by the group struggled in elections, and rival liberal groups rose up to compete for power in America’s suburbs.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These are human beings, not chattel.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Before meeting Rael-Gálvez, Daria Celeste Landress had learned while researching her family history that three Indigenous ancestors had been listed in historical documents as chattel, alongside furniture, houses, and trees.—
Geraldo Cadava,
New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The rest of the year, Mitchell strived to be part of the crowd.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slave. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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