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
ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The massive structure was built between 1805 and 1820 by thousands of former slaves, and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
During the colonial era, slaves were forcibly baptized here before being sold.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The Army gave officers who brought along their slaves a monthly ration or its cash equivalent.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
It was reserved only for slaves, criminals and political rebels.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
In Guinea …rounded by the Portuguese seaman Gil Eanes (Gilianes) in 1434, and some years later the first cargoes of slaves and gold were brought back to Lisbon.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The 14th Amendment was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship, though the Citizenship Clause is written more broadly.
—Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
People don't know that the Republicans are the party that freed the slaves.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Some of the first slaves to arrive in Louisiana were sent from Angola, according to historians.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The massive structure was built between 1805 and 1820 by thousands of former slaves, and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
During the colonial era, slaves were forcibly baptized here before being sold.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The Army gave officers who brought along their slaves a monthly ration or its cash equivalent.
—Craig Fehrman, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
It was reserved only for slaves, criminals and political rebels.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
In Guinea …rounded by the Portuguese seaman Gil Eanes (Gilianes) in 1434, and some years later the first cargoes of slaves and gold were brought back to Lisbon.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The 14th Amendment was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship, though the Citizenship Clause is written more broadly.
—Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
People don't know that the Republicans are the party that freed the slaves.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaves
Noun
-
Thank you to the public servants wrestling with impossible decisions.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The latter is less of a mother to Agnes than Rosa (Kira Guloien), one of the household’s many Marthas (put-upon domestic servants).—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the other hand, the nearly $700 billion AI infrastructure build-out has created white-hot demand for skilled laborers.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
To win votes from Southern Democrats, Roosevelt had agreed to deny Social Security to agricultural and domestic laborers—excluding a large percentage of Black workers.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Plus, bail bondsmen are the ultimate local rent seekers.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Romvari films Sasha’s efforts by combining authentic documentary elements—the adult Sasha’s interviews with real-life psychologists and social workers—and scenes featuring dramatic monologues of a rare poetic sublimity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In states that don’t conform to the federal tax changes, workers who receive a federal tax deduction for tips or overtime still will owe state taxes on those earnings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bailey struggles in run defending, and his style of play is a lot like current Jet Will McDonald IV.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets will win the offensive boards, and even if Christian Braun struggles from 3 when dared to shoot, Minnesota will have no answer for Nikola Jokic.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The executive said Kraken strives to make advanced trading strategies typically reserved for professional investors available to individual investors, according to Semafor.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Telemundo strives to stay out of the political fray, Garcia said.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The easy-on, easy-off design is a win for airport security, while the sporty silhouette works with everything from jeans and sweatpants to even skirts.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Apr. 2026
-
There’s no set price—that’s how dynamic pricing works.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaves. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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