1
as in enslavement
the state of being an enslaved person
a child born into slavery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
endured the slavery of working in the coal mines every day of his adult life
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slavery
Thus, for the first time, Jefferson combined the argument for American liberty with an argument against African slavery.
—
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Slavery was so central a bedrock in the social, economic, and political framework of the country that more Americans died in the war to end slavery than in any other war in American history.
—Time, 12 May 2026
In Village People’s gay-empowerment lexicon this means joining a gay community, for true abolition from the slavery of societal/self-loathing cannot be achieved on one’s own.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
There are passages in the Hebrew Bible that glorify or seem to condone mass killing, destruction of whole cities, male domination of women, even slavery.
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slavery
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Slavery was so central a bedrock in the social, economic, and political framework of the country that more Americans died in the war to end slavery than in any other war in American history.
—Time, 12 May 2026
In Village People’s gay-empowerment lexicon this means joining a gay community, for true abolition from the slavery of societal/self-loathing cannot be achieved on one’s own.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
There are passages in the Hebrew Bible that glorify or seem to condone mass killing, destruction of whole cities, male domination of women, even slavery.
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slavery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slavery
Noun
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Bertha runs a Pittsburgh boardinghouse with her husband, Seth, played by Cedric the Entertainer, in 1911 and is part of an ensemble of Black characters a generation removed from enslavement.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
This seems a time to remind ourselves that the country’s historic success, wealth, and power came at a very high price—the enslavement of millions of human beings for 12 generations over the course of 246 years to build a modern nation.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Their profession alchemizes money and labor into art, then back to money.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
The final scene shows Kaleb driving a combine harvester, and radioing Clarkson to tell him that his partner, Taya, has gone into labor with his third child.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Let’s go down memory lane and recall that the 13th Amendment is abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Like the Lenten journey, the onset of Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian servitude, the onset of a 40-year march homeward to the land of promise.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort The most impressive part of the property is its lush landscaping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Fox’s efforts to cater to a digitally savvy cohort to boost the fortunes of its news operations will no doubt be watched by other mainstream TV-news outlets.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
What the restaurant represents to its supporters (and those hesitant but curious) is a shift in public interest in, and acceptance of bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (BDSM).—
Victoria M. Walker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 May 2026
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Wheatley was born in West Africa before being kidnapped and enslaved, and wrote timeless, staggering lyrics of elegy and Biblical allusion while enduring the bondage of slavery.—
Time,
Time,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Researcher Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic suggests connecting with others as only humans can do, and unlocking your curiosity, while your agent handles the drudgery.—
Nigel Melville,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
-
In 2006, Lamont, fueled by his personal fortune and some savvy political advisers, visited local Democratic party committees and immersed himself in the drudgery of running a statewide campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was only one name on the list from Washington County, a young man who had been killed while in captivity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
In captivity, the big cats can live 15 to 20 years.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Until then, they’re left with the tedious toil of prepping garden plots.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Westerners, Arabs and Indians dominate business and finance, while laborers from poor countries in Asia and Africa toil for long hours in scorching temperatures at oil facilities and construction sites — often with few protections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slavery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slavery. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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