enslave

/ɪnˈsleɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [ɛnslˈev] /ɪnˈsleɪv/ (ame, ipa) · [ɛnslˈev] /in-ˈslāv How to pronounce enslave (audio) en-/ (ame, mw)

enslave — verb

  • enslavepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • enslaveshe / she / it
  • enslavedpast simple
  • enslaving-ing form

1. to keep someone trapped in a harmful or unfair situation that they cannot easily

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to keep someone trapped in a harmful or unfair situation that they cannot easily escape.

例句

The gang used threats to enslave boys in the mine for years.

enslave + person + in [place/work]

Huge debts can enslave families who already struggle to pay rent.

figurative: debt enslaves people

同義詞
  • trap

    broader and less intense; trap does not suggest long-term loss of freedom as strongly

  • exploit

    focuses on unfair use for gain; enslave adds control and lack of escape

  • oppress

    often about harsh rule over a group; enslave stresses being unable to break free

反義詞
  • free
  • release

    release is often a single act; free can describe restoring lasting freedom

文法句型

enslave + person/group + with/by + harmful condition

be enslaved by + debt/system/relationship

用法筆記

Often used for debt, systems, or relationships that take away a person's freedom. The person does not literally become a slave, but cannot leave the situation freely.

常見錯誤

❌The long meeting enslaved me.
✅The long meeting trapped me.
💡enslave suggests a severe loss of freedom, not a short annoyance.

2. to take away a person's freedom and force them to live and work as someone else'

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to take away a person's freedom and force them to live and work as someone else's property.

例句

The army invaded the island and enslaved hundreds of local people.

historical literal use

Traders kidnapped children and enslaved them on large sugar farms.

enslave after kidnapping

同義詞
  • subjugate

    broader and often political; subjugate does not always mean literal slavery

  • dominate

    weaker; dominate can be social or emotional, while enslave here is literal

  • bond

    old-fashioned and historical, especially in legal or historical writing

反義詞
  • free
  • liberate

    more formal and often used in historical or political contexts

文法句型

enslave + person/group

enslave + prisoners/population

用法筆記

This is the literal historical sense. The object is the person or group who is forced to work and obey as property.

常見錯誤

❌The king slaved the prisoners.
✅The king enslaved the prisoners.
💡use enslave when you mean making people into slaves.

3. to gain such strong control over someone's mind, feelings, or daily choices that

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to gain such strong control over someone's mind, feelings, or daily choices that they cannot act freely.

例句

Greed can enslave smart leaders until they stop caring about right and wrong.

abstract subject: greed enslaves

Cole let fear enslave him and refused every chance to start again.

let + emotion enslave + person

同義詞
  • control

    more general; enslave is stronger and suggests loss of freedom

  • dominate

    close in strength, especially for emotions or desires taking over

  • consume

    used when a feeling or wish takes over a person's attention

反義詞
  • free

    free suggests breaking the control completely

  • release

    release often describes the act of ending that control

文法句型

enslave + person

be enslaved by + emotion/desire/technology

用法筆記

Often takes an abstract subject such as fear, greed, desire, or technology. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 traps someone in a harmful situation, while this sense emphasizes control over the mind, choices, or emotional life.

常見錯誤

❌He is enslaved with money.
✅He is enslaved by money.
💡use by for the thing that controls the person.