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
As the government scrambles, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) enlists former President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) to lead a crisis response team dubbed the Zero Day Commission.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Ted enlists the help of his former partner, Kevin, and asks him to dig up any dirt the other side could use against Lester in court.
—Ayan Artan, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Judges in four lawsuits initially blocked his order until the Supreme Court cleared the way for a revised policy in January 2019, which barred transgender people from enlisting, participating in Reserve Officers' Training Corps or attending military academies.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
In 1954, Wambaugh enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and then attended night school.
—Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 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.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Ted enlists the help of his former partner, Kevin, and asks him to dig up any dirt the other side could use against Lester in court.
—Ayan Artan, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Judges in four lawsuits initially blocked his order until the Supreme Court cleared the way for a revised policy in January 2019, which barred transgender people from enlisting, participating in Reserve Officers' Training Corps or attending military academies.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
In 1954, Wambaugh enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and then attended night school.
—Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 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 19 Mar. 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