abolitionist

[ ab-uh-lish-uh-nist ]

/ ˌæb əˈlɪʃ ə nɪst /

(especially prior to the Civil War) a person who advocated or supported the abolition of slavery in the U.S.

a person who favors the abolition of any law or practice deemed harmful to society: the abolitionists who are opposed to capital punishment.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1830–40; abolition + -ist

Related formspro·ab·o·li·tion·ist, noun, adjective

As Brookhiser fully appreciates—he does not equivocate or run from the truth—Lincoln was no radical, no abolitionist.
Lincoln Was the Founders’ Heir Apparent|Harvey J. Kaye|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That woman, an island hero, Betto Douglas, may have been a relative of the famous American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass.
Uncovering the Secrets of St. Kitts|Debra A. Klein|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was scarcely such a thing in 1789 as an "abolitionist."
'Let's Talk About Guns' Live Chat Transcript|David Frum|January 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
How common was it for Quakers from England to face the abolitionist dilemma during the period before the Civil War?
Tracy Chevalier’s Novel on Ohio’s Underground Railroad|Jane Ciabattari|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The possibility of error became the central argument in the abolitionist brief.
Conn. Ends Death Penalty, But Not For 11 Men On Death Row|David R. Dow|April 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The failure of Mr. Clay is, therefore, more probably to be ascribed to Abolitionist fanaticism than to his own blundering.
The Middle Period 1817-1858|John William Burgess
I will give him political equality, but not social equality, says the abolitionist.
North America, Volume II (of 2)|Anthony Trollope
He has long been at heart an abolitionist of the deepest dye, and of late his fanaticism has shown itself in public.
Ten Years Among the Mail Bags|James Holbrook
One of the arguments, by the way, which was used against him in the canvass was that he was an abolitionist.
Gouverneur Morris|Theodore Roosevelt
Once, at the very beginning of his career as an abolitionist, he spoke with an old Quaker.
The Battle of Principles|Newell Dwight Hillis