ENSLAVE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

enslave

verb

Definition of enslave

as in to annihilate

to take control of and assert authority over

—usually used as (be) enslaved Her ancestors were enslaved during the war.

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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 enslave Terrified that abolitionist words might lead to rebellions by the enslaved, slaveholders feared for their survival. — Paul Quigley, The Conversation, 13 July 2026 Black people who were enslaved were undoubtedly domiciled here, but the same is not true of temporary visitors. — Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 In Philadelphia, Independence National Historical Park is the subject of a lawsuit over George Washington’s 18th-century home, which included an exhibit featuring the names of nine people who were enslaved by Washington. — Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026 The result was predictable, and they were found washed up on another remote island and, effectively, enslaved. — Terry W. Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enslave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enslave

Verb

Here, too, a face is lost in another body—though this time the self is annihilated by desire rather than grief.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
The matter and antimatter annihilate each other, creating other particles, including bundles of quarks.

— Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of annihilate

Verb

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Martínez was a headache to both pitchers, hitting a grand slam against Sandlin and finishing with a career-high six RBIs as the Guardians defeated the Sox 8-2.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
But the technology for defeating ballistic missiles has advanced significantly since the Cold War.

— Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Every administration has its own policy agenda and preferences, but this goes beyond that, subjugating science to partisanship and holding research and infrastructure money hostage throughout much of the country.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine and embarrass Europe in its own backyard, while China seeks dominance in East Asia - but their approaches are quite different.

— Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of subjugate

Verb

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

On June 19 burglars used a saw to cut through a garage door on Avalon Heights Terrace, and smashed through a sliding glass window to get into the home.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Despite his manic efforts to smash and spray them out of existence, the ever-multiplying cockroaches eventually overwhelm him.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of smash

Verb

Lesnar whipped Femi into the steel ring steps shoulder-first, but Femi returned the favor.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors allege Williams and several other suspects held a victim against his will, pistol whipped him and stripped him of his belongings, Boyd said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Browse Nearby Words

enskying

enslave

enslaved

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“Enslave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enslave. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of enslave

verb

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