Enslave: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：force into slavery (enslave)

enslave 🔊

/ɪnˈsleɪv/

vt.

To completely control someone, taking away their freedom and treating them like property.

Enslave meaning: shackled wrist in dungeon scene

force into slavery 🔊

➕

/fɔːrs ˈɪntuː ˈsleɪvəri/

vt.

To completely control someone, taking away their freedom and treating them like property.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

en- (to make) + slave (person owned by another)

💡 Mnemonic

'En-' (put into) + 'slave' = make a slave. Picture iron chains.

📖 Example

In ancient times, powerful empires would often enslave the people they conquered, forcing them to work for years. 🔊 In ancient times, powerful empires would often enslave the people they conquered, forcing them to work for years.

🔗 Collocations

enslave someone – to force someone into slavery

enslave a population – to dominate and control a group of people entirely

be enslaved by – to be completely controlled by something (e.g., addiction, debt)

🔄 Synonyms

subjugate (vt.) – to bring under control, especially by conquest

dominate (vt.) – to have a commanding influence over; to control

enchain (vt.) – to bind with chains; to restrict freedom

🚫 Antonyms

liberate (vt.) – to set free from imprisonment or slavery

emancipate (vt.) – to free from legal, social, or political restrictions

free (vt.) – to release from captivity or bondage

🌱 Derivatives

enslavement (n.) – the action of making someone a slave

enslaver (n.) – a person who enslaves others

enslaved (adj.) – having become a slave or completely controlled

📖 Cultural Story

From Old French 'esclave' (slave). The verb 'enslave' emerged in the 16th century, reflecting the tragic historical practice of reducing people to property.