Plural form of abolitionist; multiple people who work to abolish something, especially slavery.
From abolitionist (abolition + -ist) plus the regular English plural suffix -s, creating multiple instances of the noun for people with abolitionist beliefs.
The abolitionists who fought to end slavery included some of the most famous historical figures and also thousands of ordinary people whose names are lost—the word encompasses a massive coalition of diverse people united by one cause.
Plural form carries same historical bias: abolitionist movements were documented as male-led, obscuring women's foundational organizing, intellectual contributions, and risk-taking in anti-slavery and anti-oppression work.
Use 'abolitionists' as gender-neutral; explicitly name women abolitionists in contexts where accuracy requires correction of archival erasure.
Women abolitionists formed organizations, published arguments, organized boycotts, and faced legal/social retaliation. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Sojourner Truth, and others synthesized abolition with anti-racism and gender justice—foundational intersectional thought.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.