as in peonage
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Recent Examples of serfdom
That book, Caliban and the Witch, traces the emergence of witch hunts throughout medieval Western Europe amid the transition from serfdom to proto-capitalism.
—
Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024
Johnson envisioned a postwar order in which former slaves would transition into permanent serfdom, destined for labor but no independent economic life and no place in politics.
—David W. Blight, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
As the Big Three continue to drive down the road to serfdom, car production will continue in the United States.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Sep. 2023
Following Mexico's independence in 1821, a small landowning elite replaced the colonial rulers, and most of the farmers (except those who joined farming collectives) transitioned from slavery to serfdom.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for serfdom
Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024
Johnson envisioned a postwar order in which former slaves would transition into permanent serfdom, destined for labor but no independent economic life and no place in politics.
—David W. Blight, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020
As the Big Three continue to drive down the road to serfdom, car production will continue in the United States.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Sep. 2023
Following Mexico's independence in 1821, a small landowning elite replaced the colonial rulers, and most of the farmers (except those who joined farming collectives) transitioned from slavery to serfdom.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for serfdom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serfdom
Noun
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Roughly 12% were of African descent — newly unshackled, technically free and already being legally recaptured under other names: peonage, vagrancy laws, convict leasing.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2025
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Ryan Coogler didn’t want to hide anymore The film conveys two forms of peonage prominent in the 1930s South—labor arrangements not far removed from slavery.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2025
Noun
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There was, however, a fateful exception: slavery or involuntary servitude would remain permissible as punishment for crimes.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
30 June 2025
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Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Harris said the comments coming on the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States were consistent with Trump’s most recent policies and practices working against people of color.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
24 June 2025
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The structure opened to the public on June 19, known as Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Column and barrel jeans are part of the collection as well as minimalist women’s shirts, like the Club Shirt with subtle western yoke details, and a denim work shirt.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
2 May 2025
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The steering wheel transforms into a flight yoke, and extra pedals appear for rudder control.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
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After depositing their burdens, if not already in bondage, they often were sold into slavery.—
Anthony R. Cannella,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
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Was Ginestra surprised at how readily Halsey took to the ideas for a bondage segment?—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serfdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serfdom. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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