antislavery

American  

[an-tee-sley-vuh-ree, -sleyv-ree, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈsleɪ və ri, -ˈsleɪv ri, ˌæn taɪ- /

noun

1. opposition to slavery.

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adjective

1. of or relating to antislavery.

   The antislavery movement in the United States gained momentum in the early 19th century.

antislavery British  

/ ˌæntɪˈsleɪvərɪ /

adjective

1. opposed to slavery, esp slavery of Black people

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Etymology

Origin of antislavery

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; anti- + slavery

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antislavery

In four major speeches Douglass extolled the Mayflower, joining antislavery figures who looked back to the Plymouth settlers—who established government by consent and initially did not legalize slavery—as an ur-source of abolitionism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Southern postmasters thus continued to withhold antislavery periodicals, with the tacit approval of Jackson protégé Kendall.

From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2026

The antislavery movement was central to Seward’s career.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026

“There was this perception that antislavery Republicans hadn’t been sufficiently aggressive,” Waite said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2025

With the assistance of two servants, Stanton devoted herself to raising her children and running the household while Henry began a career in antislavery politics.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling