ENSLAVE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

enslave

verb

Definition of enslave

as in to annihilate

to take control of and assert authority over

—usually used as (be) enslaved Her ancestors were enslaved during the war.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of enslave Historians began to construct a rich and sobering narrative of the lives of both enslavers and enslaved, as well as a portrait of the system that bound them together. — Drew Gilpin Faust, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026 Keanu Reeves stars as hacker Neo, who discovers that humanity’s been enslaved by a malevolent cyber-intelligence and joins up with badass rebels Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) to fight back. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026 That her ancestors, David and Violet, were enslaved at Sharswood. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026 If true, then the wearer wasn’t a man named Pilate, but a subordinate or enslaved person under his oversight who used the ring as a wax or clay seal for various materials and documents. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enslave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enslave

Verb

Accordingly, Trump’s public deliberations about who to invade and who to annihilate were themselves crimes, committed in full view of thousands of diplomats and heads of state.

— Anjali Dayal, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
About 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub asteroid smashed into Earth, kicking up tsunamis and dropping hot debris that annihilated non-avian dinosaurs and many other species.

— Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of annihilate

Verb

These sessions have helped Ellis develop a better understanding of the challenges others have overcome.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
The three-time AL MVP played just seven games after May 31 because of a fractured rib and the leg injury, an absence the team couldn't overcome.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Trump’s appearance in San Antonio comes as Republicans fight to keep Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico from defeating Paxton.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Unfortunately, the same forces that defeated previous permitting reform packages — primarily left-wing interest groups — are threatening to smother this legislation.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

For years, Putin has been ideologically committed to subjugating all of Ukraine, attacking and reattacking the country in order to control all of it.

— Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
The ruling was widely seen by progressives as subjugating the role of the individual in the election process to that of the corporation.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of subjugate

Verb

The Sox move on to Cleveland while the Cubs come home to lick their wounds.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
The Bombers beat the Red Sox 9-2 in Game 2 after winning the series opening game 9-0, sending New England’s hardball heroes home to lick their wounds until next spring.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

But of the leaders of those three mega-bands, perhaps the most mysterious remains Pete Townshend, The Who’s songwriter and enigmatic eminence, thrashing chords and smashing guitars while Roger Daltrey handled lead vocals.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
Breakfast and lunch staples including omelets, pancakes, French toast, smashed pot potatoes, hamburger steak, beef tips, pork chops and chicken and dumplings are returning to the menu, along with a few new items.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of smash

Verb

My opponent should be condemning political violence, not whipping it up.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026
In whipping rain and wind in New Jersey, the New York Giants held on for a 12-7 win in their first game since quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of whip

Browse Nearby Words

enskying

enslave

enslaved

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Cite this Entry

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“Enslave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enslave. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of enslave

verb

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