abolitionist

[ ab-uh-lish-uh-nist ]

noun

1. (especially prior to the Civil War) a person who advocated or supported the abolition of slavery in the U.S.
2. a person who favors the abolition of any law or practice deemed harmful to society:

   the abolitionists who are opposed to capital punishment.

Other Words From

• proab·o·lition·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abolitionist¹

First recorded in 1830–40; abolition + -ist

Example Sentences

Your book draws attention to a group of Black abolitionist writers who sought to explain and critique that gap, and also explore what to do about it.

From Salon

Some of the nascent Yale abolitionists who stayed loyal to the Union were capitalists-in-training and by inheritance who were already profiting indirectly from slavery.

From Salon

“Free the Land! Free the People!” explores Crenshaw Dairy Mart’s abolitionist pod project — a blend of art, architecture and science designed to address systemic issues such as food insecurity and housing instability.

From Los Angeles Times

And she described herself as an “abolitionist” — someone who favors the “abolition of police and the prison industrial complex.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s the one who claims to be a police abolitionist, and he’s clearly working for Kevin de León,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times