enslave

verb

en·​slave in-ˈslāv How to pronounce enslave (audio)
en-
enslaved; enslaving; enslaves

transitive verb

: to force into or as if into slavery : subjugate
The building holds bronze statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, who were born, and enslaved, on Maryland's Eastern Shore.Evan Osnos
It has long been known that Nordic warriors established outposts more than a millennium ago on Poland's Baltic coast, enslaving indigenous Slavic peoples to supply a booming slave trade, as well trading in salt, amber and other commodities.Andrew Higgins
This oddly contradictory view of artificial intelligence is somehow a perfect symbol of AI's place in our imaginations at this moment in history—something that will eliminate countless jobs, a boost for creativity, an end to drudgery, or perhaps a monstrous force that will take over our planet and enslave humanity.Minda Zetlin
enslavement noun
plural enslavements
… the continued enslavement of millions of human beings after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Juan Cole
sexual/economic enslavement

Examples of enslave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new film centers on Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Maximus who is also enslaved into becoming a gladiator. Nigel Smith, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024 The success of these displays hinged on the dehumanization of the combatants involved, especially those who were enslaved and therefore viewed as property. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024 The university was founded in 1881 in a one-room shanty by Dr. Booker T. Washington and Lewis Adams, who had been enslaved, the school website says. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Ball had located descendents of people his ancestors had enslaved — including Harold Singletary. Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enslave 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enslave was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near enslave

Cite this Entry

“Enslave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enslave. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

enslave

verb
en·​slave in-ˈslāv How to pronounce enslave (audio)
: to force into slavery
enslavement noun
enslaver noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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