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

His daring would win the admiration of national antislavery advocates such as Ohio Gov. Salmon P. Chase and Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune, which regularly published Clay’s speeches and letters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

“Any time a cotton gin burned down in the South, they pointed to the Wide Awakes and other more radical antislavery Northerners and said, ‘This is arson.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2025

Southern postmasters instituted a comprehensive censorship of mail to prevent antislavery literature from reaching the South.

From Salon • Jul. 26, 2025

And so the leading contenders to the presidency that year were William Seward, who was staunchly antislavery, and Lincoln, who is considered to be a compromise.

From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025

The next time Valentine went east on business, a broadsheet promoting an antislavery meeting stopped him in his tracks.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead