underground railroad

nounsecret cooperative network

Synonyms for underground railroad

noun secret cooperative network

Word Origin & History

"network of U.S. anti-slavery activists helping runaways elude capture," attested from 1847, but said to date from 1831 and to have been coined in jest by bewildered trackers after their slaves vanished without a trace. Originally mostly the term for escape networks in the (then) western states of the U.S.

Example Sentences for underground railroad

My father was one of the members of the Underground Railroad.

This gave rise to what was known as the Underground Railroad.

In those days, the Underground Railroad was in full operation.

And besides I must look after my underground railroad affairs.

The Underground Railroad was never coextensive with the abolition movement.

This act was designed to crush out the underground railroad.

Is there no "underground railroad" by which they may win their way to freedom?

I wouldn't wonder if this was the first trip on the Underground Railroad.

"The underground railroad is in fine working order," is the comment of The Journal.

Yet she was one of the most important agents of the Underground Railroad and a leader of fugitive slaves.