1
as in servants
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 laborers
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 labors
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 slaves
David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Haiti is the world’s first Black independent republic after African slaves defeated Napoleon’s army and broke the shackles of slavery.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 June 2026
As the inscription had been damaged, researchers couldn’t decipher whether this tablet had cursed four slaves or whether four slaves had cried out to the Egyptian gods and demi-heroes, who knows?
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
Lincoln's Proclamation did not free slaves in all states.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The compromise of 1850 had made harboring fugitive slaves a crime under federal law, even if, even in those states that had abolished slavery.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Juneteenth returns to Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood on Saturday, June 20, to commemorate the freeing of black slaves in the United States.
—Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Odysseus also gives the order to kill twelve young house slaves who have been sleeping with the suitors.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Haiti is the world’s first Black independent republic after African slaves defeated Napoleon’s army and broke the shackles of slavery.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 June 2026
As the inscription had been damaged, researchers couldn’t decipher whether this tablet had cursed four slaves or whether four slaves had cried out to the Egyptian gods and demi-heroes, who knows?
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
Lincoln's Proclamation did not free slaves in all states.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks when the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The compromise of 1850 had made harboring fugitive slaves a crime under federal law, even if, even in those states that had abolished slavery.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Juneteenth returns to Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood on Saturday, June 20, to commemorate the freeing of black slaves in the United States.
—Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
Verb
Things are equally akilter in his family’s home, with his mother now sitting on the couch watching TV while his father slaves away in the kitchen.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaves
Noun
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In Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, jogti hijras, jogins, or jogappas are trans women who devote themselves in temples as special servants to the goddess Yellamma.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
As previously noted, one of the gifts of Russian greats that Saunders most celebrates is their way of locating complex truths in the stuff of ordinary lives—their towns and farms, and their families, their servants; their animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The route also brought artisans, laborers and slaves to the Spanish colony.—
Daniel Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
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For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.—
Ashley Rose Young,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That is the standard set for bringing weapons and cellphones into a secure area, safeguarding department property, monitoring the radio, misusing department letterhead, badges or insignia, secondary employment violations, and recommending bondsmen or attorneys to inmates.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Plus, bail bondsmen are the ultimate local rent seekers.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The facilities can create thousands of jobs for construction workers and generate significant revenue for local governments due to sales and property taxes.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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The highland Indigenous and rural workers' groups — who long supported MAS but helped vault Paz to power last year — have led the protests, accusing his government of neglecting their needs since entering office.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The introvert who generates extraordinary individual insight but struggles to inspire large groups gets an extroverted deputy to do the rallying.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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New legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators strives to add new aircraft to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Hunter fleet and codify the agency’s role in meteorological research.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
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In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Billy Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Louis-Gabriel Nouchi adds that organizing well in advance allows the team to work on a lighter schedule this week, a far cry from the fashion stereotype that everyone works around the clock in the days leading up to a show.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
23 June 2026
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Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaves. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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