abolitionism

noun

ab·​o·​li·​tion·​ism ˌa-bə-ˈli-shə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce abolitionism (audio)
: principles or measures promoting the abolition especially of slavery
among the New Englanders committed to abolitionism

Examples of abolitionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The idea for Alexander’s pose had a long history, reaching back to 18th-century British abolitionism. Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026 Though the United States was still a toddler on the world stage, abolitionism, the industrial revolution, the concept of manifest destiny and the stirrings of the American Civil War loomed over an increasingly divided nation. Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 14 Mar. 2026 The passage of the Fugitive Slave Act helped shatter this consensus and brought abolitionism far closer to the mainstream. Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026 The passage of the Fugitive Slave Act helped shatter this consensus and brought abolitionism far closer to the mainstream. Stephen Mihm, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abolitionism

Word History

Etymology

abolition + -ism

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abolitionism was in 1807

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Cite this Entry

“Abolitionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolitionism. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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