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
To help with its first foray into makeup, La Beauté enlisted legendary makeup artist and longtime Louis Vuitton collaborator Pat McGrath as creative director.
—
Glamour, 19 Aug. 2025
Now, according to The New York Post, Prince Harry enlisted the help of a friend to pay tribute to VJ Day heroes, including his late grandfather, Prince Philip, placing a letter and a wreath at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2025
During the Michael’s meeting, the younger Della Femina — also co-owner of Los Angeles restaurant Croft Alley and the cocktail club Martini Confidential — enlisted his pal Michael Mailer to join the cast.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
And the result is the same too: Hamas continues to fight and enlist additional members into its ranks, using Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as the perfect recruiting tool.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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Glamour, 19 Aug. 2025
Now, according to The New York Post, Prince Harry enlisted the help of a friend to pay tribute to VJ Day heroes, including his late grandfather, Prince Philip, placing a letter and a wreath at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2025
During the Michael’s meeting, the younger Della Femina — also co-owner of Los Angeles restaurant Croft Alley and the cocktail club Martini Confidential — enlisted his pal Michael Mailer to join the cast.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
And the result is the same too: Hamas continues to fight and enlist additional members into its ranks, using Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as the perfect recruiting tool.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 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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