Word
abolitionist
Phoneticsabo·li·tion·ist
US/ˌæbəˈɫɪʃənəst/
UK/ˌæbəlˈɪʃənˌɪst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who wants to end a bad system or practice. In history, this often meant someone who wanted to stop slavery.
n. a person who advocates for the total and permanent removal of a system, practice, or institution. Historically refers to those who sought the immediate end of slavery.
Examples
“The abolitionist worked hard to end the practice.”
“During the nineteenth century, many abolitionists traveled across the country to speak against the institution of slavery.”
“The movement was led by passionate abolitionists who argued that the moral cost of the system outweighed any economic benefits it provided to the state.”
Examples
simple
“The abolitionist worked hard to end the practice.”
contextual
“During the nineteenth century, many abolitionists traveled across the country to speak against the institution of slavery.”
complex
“The movement was led by passionate abolitionists who argued that the moral cost of the system outweighed any economic benefits it provided to the state.”
Real-World Examples
“The New York Historical/Getty Images Some abolitionists and future leaders, including Abraham Lincoln , at first supported colonization because they believed it would help accelerate emancipation.” “The erasure of this history began with the abolitionists, who quickly realised that identifying and shaming slave traders might harm their cause.” Etymology
First attested in 1788. abolition + -ist.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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