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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.


noun

  1. the favoring or support of slavery.

proslavery British  
/ ˌprəʊˈsleɪvərɪ /

adjective

  1. in favour of or supporting slavery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of proslavery

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

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.

See Examples For:

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

By 1860, Fitzhugh, Hammond, Calhoun, Leigh, and their countless imitators had constructed a proslavery version of republicanism at odds with the North’s free labor version.

From Textbooks Jan. 18, 2018

First Jackson and then Smith were also prepared with their response, which turned out to be the fullest public exposition of the proslavery position yet presented in the United States.

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

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