proslavery

American  

[proh-sley-vuh-ree, -sleyv-ree] / proʊˈsleɪ və ri, -ˈsleɪv ri /

adjective

1. favoring slavery.

2. U.S. History. favoring the continued enslavement of Black people, or opposed to ending or altering the institution of slavery.

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noun

1. the favoring or support of slavery.

proslavery British  

/ ˌprəʊˈsleɪvərɪ /

adjective

1. in favour of or supporting slavery

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Other Word Forms

• proslaver noun
• proslaveryism noun

Etymology

Origin of proslavery

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; pro- ¹ + slavery

Example Sentences

When a Kentucky constitutional convention finally did meet, it was dominated by conservatives who actually strengthened the proslavery laws, to Clay’s chagrin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

In the alleys behind some of those rowhouses, artist Eastman Johnson had spent time with people who were less than pleased about the election of a proslavery Democrat.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2022

But although Johnson, an abolitionist, intended the scene to humanize African Americans, the artwork would go on to be used as proslavery propaganda.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2022

More-pragmatic abolitionists declined to abandon politics and insisted that the true spirit of the Constitution supported liberty, regardless of its proslavery compromises.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

What was truly new in the proslavery argument was not really the ideas or attitudes expressed, but the expression itself.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis