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
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.
During the nineteenth century, an older form of abolitionism was led by Black radicals. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 Within a decade, Napoleon would reimpose slavery in French colonies – and shut the door on abolitionism for several decades. — Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026 In this period, partisan editors, both Democratic and Whig-Republican, considered the abolitionist press to be too radical, too fanatical, and too politically naive, and argued that abolitionism was a disease that would deepen the nation’s sectional divide and make civil war all but inevitable. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 The idea for Alexander’s pose had a long history, reaching back to 18th-century British abolitionism. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 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

Rhymes for abolitionism

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Browse Nearby Words

abolitiondom
abolitionism
abolitionist
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Cite this Entry

“Abolitionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abolitionism. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abolitionism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abolitionism

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