enlisted; enlisting; enlists
1
a
: to secure the support and aid of : employ in advancing an interest
enlist all the available resources
enlisted our help
b
: to win over : attract
trying to enlist my sympathies
2
: to engage (a person) for duty in the armed forces
1
: to enroll oneself in the armed forces
will enlist for three years
2
: to participate heartily (as in a cause, drive, or crusade)
Synonyms
Examples of enlist in a Sentence
They're enlisting volunteers for an experiment.
We enlisted all available resources.
I enlisted the help of our neighbors.
We enlisted the services of a professional.
They enlisted several new recruits.
After graduating, I enlisted in the navy.
He enlisted in the cause of world peace.
Recent Examples on the Web
My father, dazed and grieving, seemed open to being enlisted in an expedition.
—
Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
But making whiskey using an old technique traditionally enlisted for cognac?
—Kevin Gray, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
He was not even supposed to start for several more weeks, but was enlisted for the national crisis.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin seemingly took a page out of President Biden’s book and is offering to write off debts for new recruits enlisting in the country’s military for one year.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlist 
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show current usage.
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Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
But making whiskey using an old technique traditionally enlisted for cognac?
—Kevin Gray, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
He was not even supposed to start for several more weeks, but was enlisted for the national crisis.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin seemingly took a page out of President Biden’s book and is offering to write off debts for new recruits enlisting in the country’s military for one year.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enlist
Dictionary Entries Near enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enlist
verb
en·list
in-ˈlist 
1
a
: to enroll for military or naval service
especially
: to join one of the armed services voluntarily
b
: to participate heartily (as in a cause or drive)
2
: to obtain the help or support of
enlisted their friends in the campaign
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