enslaved

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enslaved" is correct in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is held in bondage or forced to work against their will. Example: "The novel tells the story of a young girl who was enslaved and fought for her freedom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not only is there the violent transatlantic slave trade (which still has ramifications in the present and is a deeply upsetting topic for many people) to bear in mind; there is also the issue of the global modern day slave trade, which, according to the latest figures, enslaves more people today than were enslaved during the entire 350-year history of the transatlantic slave trade.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scotland, unlike Catalonia under Franco, has never been culturally enslaved.

The Guardian

Baron Cohen had been due to make his debut for the Pulp Fiction director in his much-hyped 19th-century Deep South-set follow up to Inglourious Basterds, cameoing in the role of Scotty Harmony, a gambler who buys the title character's enslaved wife as a companion.

The Guardian - Film

Dorothy Resig, an editor of Biblical Archaeology Review in Washington DC, said the idea probably arose from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, which says: "So the Egyptians enslaved the children of Israel with backbreaking labour" and the Pharaoh put them to work to build buildings.

The Guardian

Spaghetti westerns, blaxploitation movies, John Wayne: all get their salute as the two men change the purpose of their travels from the hunt for profitable criminals to the finding and freeing of Django's wife, who is still enslaved on a Mississippi plantation owned by the capricious Mr Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

The Guardian - Opinion

See articleAn English-language propaganda magazine published by IS confirmed that it has enslaved Yazidi women and children.

The Economist

And if some of those things turn out to be reckless and doomed, well so be it.Now, I ought to admit that I have spent the past three weeks of shutdown high-drama in Singapore and Britain nations, I suppose, of "unfree" people stumbling miserably about, enslaved by the horrors of universal health care so perhaps I have lost my taste for freedom.

The Economist

And it is always tempting to blame your problems on "society" when "society" has enslaved and disenfranchised your ancestors.

The Economist

One such was Otokichi, the youngest of the three found enslaved near Cape Flattery.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

One tragic group were the black freedmen, in danger of being re-enslaved on the orders of George Washington.

The Economist

It was the brainchild of the Clapham Sect and it failed miserably a complicated fiasco which ended in ex-slaves becoming re-enslaved as indentured labourers.But the book packs in a huge range of information on every aspect of their work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enslaved" precisely, distinguishing it from related terms like 'oppressed' or 'exploited'. "Enslaved" specifically implies ownership and forced servitude, which may not be the case in all oppressive situations.

Common error

Avoid using "enslaved" metaphorically when describing situations that do not involve actual forced labor or ownership. Overusing the term can diminish its impact and trivialize the experiences of those who have been genuinely enslaved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enslaved" is as the past participle of the verb "enslave". It is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone who is held in slavery or subjected to forced labor. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "enslaved" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past participle, functioning primarily as an adjective to describe individuals subjected to forced labor and ownership. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its common occurrence in News & Media and science-related articles, with a formal to neutral register. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "held captive" or "subjugated", "enslaved" specifically underscores the state of involuntary servitude, so it's best to use "enslaved" to refer to a state of ownership and forced labor in order to be accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subjected to slavery

Clearly indicates the condition of being owned and forced to work by another person.

in servitude

Indicates a condition of being a servant or slave, often involuntary.

in bondage

Implies a state of servitude or subjugation, often with historical or metaphorical connotations.

subjugated

Emphasizes the act of bringing someone under control or domination.

held captive

Focuses on the physical aspect of being confined, without necessarily implying forced labor or ownership.

forced into labor

Specifically denotes the act of compelling someone to work against their will.

oppressed

Highlights the unjust or cruel exercise of power, potentially leading to a loss of freedom.

in thrall

Suggests a state of being under the power or influence of someone or something.

in chains

A more figurative way of saying a state of being literally or figuratively restricted from freedom.

indentured

Refers to being bound by a contract to work for someone for a specified period.

FAQs

How is "enslaved" used in a sentence?

"Enslaved" is typically used to describe individuals or groups who are forced into servitude and treated as property. For example, "Millions of Africans were "subjected to slavery" and "enslaved" during the transatlantic slave trade."

What are some alternatives to the word "enslaved"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "held captive", "subjugated", or "in servitude". These words capture different aspects of being controlled or dominated.

Is there a difference between being "oppressed" and being "enslaved"?

Yes, while both terms describe forms of subjugation, "enslaved" specifically refers to being owned and forced into labor. "Oppressed" is a broader term that includes any form of unjust or cruel exercise of power, even if it doesn't involve ownership or forced labor.

In what contexts is the term "enslaved" most appropriately used?

The term "enslaved" is most appropriately used when discussing historical or contemporary instances of slavery, human trafficking, or other situations where individuals are held against their will and forced to work under threat of violence or coercion.