abolitionist

[ ab-uh-lish-uh-nist ]

/ ˌæb əˈlɪʃ ə nɪst /

|

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abolitionist ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(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.

RELATED CONTENT

What Is “GOP” Short For?The Republican party has a lot of history. Its origins are interesting in their own right, but one particular part of the party's history is its nickname: the GOP. Where did this nickname come from and what in the world does it mean?

From Suffrage To Sisterhood: What Does Feminism Actually Mean?From the suffragist movement of the 1800s to the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, women have used the power of language and oration to inspire countless people.

RELATED WORDS

revolutionary, advocate, opponent, activist

Nearby words

aboideau, aboil, abolish, abolition, abolitionism, abolitionist, abolitionize, abolla, abomasum, abomasus, abomey

Origin of abolitionist

First recorded in 1830–40; abolition + -ist

Related forms

pro·ab·o·li·tion·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abolitionist

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