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)
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
The brothers Stone enlisted bass guitar wonder Larry Graham, who’d been playing in a local jazz duo with his mother.
—
Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Morello enlisted the team at Embarc Design to execute the transformation.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The band enlisted the great Mike Mills to direct, with Saoirse Ronan starring as an office worker who dances, squirms, shudders, and screams through her daily routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
Marshall enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduating from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, serving from October 1943 until June 1946.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Morello enlisted the team at Embarc Design to execute the transformation.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The band enlisted the great Mike Mills to direct, with Saoirse Ronan starring as an office worker who dances, squirms, shudders, and screams through her daily routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
Marshall enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduating from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, serving from October 1943 until June 1946.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 14 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share