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
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Jan. 2026
In the subsequent testimony, Médor claimed that the only way to stop these poisonings was for enslavers to stop promising slaves their estate would free them after their death.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Edith Renfrow Smith, the granddaughter of slaves, died at the age of 111.
—Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2026
Its closest rival is what historians call the Dependency, a stone building behind the main house that likely housed the slaves who built it.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
Even with Lincoln’s executive order proclaiming freedom for the slaves, the practice continued until the war was completed.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The cowboy was named after slaves who handled the cows.
—Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
While The Handmaid’s Tale followed the women whose lives were upended by the enshrinement of totalitarian fascism, forcing them to become baby-making slaves, The Testaments is a coming-of-age story of girls whose only understanding of life is the grim reality of Gilead.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025
Johnson, whose parents were former slaves, fled the country to fight abroad for several years after he was convicted and sentenced on racially motivated federal charges.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Noun
Originally a Dutch vessel, the Zorg had been captured by a British captain and heavily overloaded with slaves.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Jan. 2026
In the subsequent testimony, Médor claimed that the only way to stop these poisonings was for enslavers to stop promising slaves their estate would free them after their death.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Edith Renfrow Smith, the granddaughter of slaves, died at the age of 111.
—Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2026
Its closest rival is what historians call the Dependency, a stone building behind the main house that likely housed the slaves who built it.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
Even with Lincoln’s executive order proclaiming freedom for the slaves, the practice continued until the war was completed.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The cowboy was named after slaves who handled the cows.
—Essence, 30 Dec. 2025
While The Handmaid’s Tale followed the women whose lives were upended by the enshrinement of totalitarian fascism, forcing them to become baby-making slaves, The Testaments is a coming-of-age story of girls whose only understanding of life is the grim reality of Gilead.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025
Johnson, whose parents were former slaves, fled the country to fight abroad for several years after he was convicted and sentenced on racially motivated federal charges.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaves
Noun
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The servants worked on Christmas Day and would have the next day off to go visit their own families.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Dec. 2025
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But, tensions and class struggles keep everyone, including the servants, on edge, all leading up to a mysterious murder.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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For low-wage workers, contractor laborers, and families split across multiple jobs, a clinic visit can resemble a luxury rather than a basic necessity.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
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The scheme transformed the following year into one that produced and marketed several million bottles of counterfeit drink that was mixed under unsanitary conditions by day laborers, prosecutors said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Plus, bail bondsmen are the ultimate local rent seekers.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That measure, pushed by SEIU-UHW, a labor union representing many of the state’s health care workers, would impose a 5% tax on people with $1 billion or more in assets.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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An analysis by the National Association of Home Builders estimates tens of thousands of homes aren't being completed because there aren't enough workers.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Unable to pay her rent, she was later evicted and now struggles to come up with the $1,900 for her new place.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Harper, for her part, struggles to publicly defend a market position that’s based on a hunch and backed up by espionage.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Through educational programs, community outreach and strategic resource management, the district strives to ensure sustainable groundwater supply for current and future generations.—
Claire Marks,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Zermatt strives to be a high-class mountain resort, but for active guests.—
Rick Steves,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These Hokas are the rare travel shoe that works across all ages, activity levels, and destinations.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The company works closely with mental health professionals to ensure its technology aligns with clinical practice rather than replacing it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaves. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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