Synonyms for slavery

noun

1. Bondage

   bondage, servitude, thralldom, enthrallment, subjection, subjugation, serfdom, constraint, captivity, restraint, bond service, vassalage, involuntary servitude; see also captivity.

2. The use of slaves as an institution

   owning slaves, slaveholding, slave-owning, practicing slavery, holding slaves, the peculiar institution*; see also sense 1.

3. Drudgery

   toil, menial labor, grind; see work 2.

slavery implies absolute subjection to another person who owns and completely controls one; servitude refers to compulsory labor or service for another, often, specif., such labor imposed as punishment for crime; bondage originally referred to the condition of a serf bound to his master's land, but now implies any condition of subjugation or captivity