ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abolitionist

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˌæbəˈɫɪʃənəst// UK //ˌæbəlˈɪʃənˌɪst// abo·li·tion·ist Archaic

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested in 1788. abolition + -ist.

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