Synonyms

enslaved

American

[en-sleyvd] / ɛnˈsleɪvd /

adjective

made a slave; held in slavery or bondage.

Enslaved people were seen not as people at all but as commodities to be bought, sold, and exploited.

Other Word Forms

unenslaved

adjective

Etymology

Origin of enslaved

First recorded in 1660–70; enslave ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Enslaved people engaged in simple contests — guessing games and strength challenges — as a way to boost their mood and self-esteem, and to bond with one another.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

Enslaved Africans could be found as far south as Chile and Argentina all the way up to Canada.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2026

Enslaved people were brought to the Chagos Islands from Madagascar and Mozambique to work on coconut plantations under French and British rule.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2024

Dominique Janee: Enslaved from birth, Arthur Crumpler was never taught to read and write.

From Scientific American • Nov. 2, 2023

Enslaved American Indians had been able to escape more easily since they were usually familiar with the local area and could return to their own people.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023