Enslavement: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to the condition in which individuals are forced into servitude and lack personal freedom. It is often used in historical contexts related to the transatlantic slave trade.

• The enslavement of people from Africa had a profound impact on history.
• He wrote extensively about the horrors of enslavement and its lasting effects.

Implies domination and control by force, placing someone or something under complete control. It has a broad usage often related to colonial rule or oppression.

• The subjugation of indigenous peoples had devastating effects on their cultures.
• She fought against the subjugation of women in her society.

Usually denotes a state of being bound or confined, often related to slavery or forced labor. It can also have a metaphorical use, signifying a lack of freedom.

• The prisoners were held in bondage for years.
• She struggled to free herself from the emotional bondage of her past.

Describes the condition of being imprisoned or confined, but not necessarily in the context of slavery. Often used to describe animals or prisoners of war.

• The soldiers were held in captivity for several months.
• The zoo aimed to recreate natural habitats for animals in captivity.

This term is used to describe the act of making someone a slave, often in a historical or severe context. It has a very negative connotation.

• The documentary focused on the enslavement of African people during the transatlantic slave trade.
• Enslavement of any human being is a grave violation of human rights.

This typically implies having power over others in a way that suggests superiority or aggression, and often has a somewhat negative connotation.

• His desire for domination made him unpopular among his peers.
• Political domination by a single party can lead to corruption.

This term can describe the act of directing or regulating something or someone. It does not necessarily have a negative connotation but can be neutral or positive depending on the context.

• The manager has control over the team’s project schedules.
• Parents often exert some control over their children's screen time.

This term refers to the act of bringing someone under control, often by force, and can have a negative connotation.

• The history of the nation's subjection to foreign rulers is marked by resistance.
• Her subjection to constant criticism damaged her self-esteem.

Use 'enslavement' when discussing a situation where individuals or groups are forcefully made to serve others without freedom. This term often relates to historical or serious discussions about human rights abuses.

• The history books discuss the enslavement of many African people during the transatlantic slave trade.
• Enslavement is a crime against humanity and a grave violation of human rights.

Use 'ensnare' to describe trapping or catching someone or something in a figurative or literal net. Often used with negative connotations, implying deceit or danger.

• The detective ensnared the criminal with a clever trap.
• Investors were ensnared by the fraudulent scheme.

Use 'subjugate' when referring to bringing someone or something under control or domination, often through force. This term often appears in discussions about oppression and can have negative connotations.

• The empire sought to subjugate the smaller nations in its quest for power.
• The dictator's regime subjugated the population, denying them basic freedoms.

Use 'dominate' when referring to a situation where someone or something has significant control or influence over others, often in a competitive or authoritative context. It can be used in both positive and negative senses.

• The team dominated the game from start to finish.
• She tends to dominate the conversation with her strong opinions.