enlist

verb

en·​list in-ˈlist 

en-

enlisted; enlisting; enlists

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to enroll oneself in the armed forces

will enlist for three years

2

: to participate heartily (as in a cause, drive, or crusade)

enlistee

in-ˌli-ˈstē 

en-, 

-ˈli-stē

noun

enlistment

in-ˈlis(t)-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of enlist

• join
• enroll (in)
• enter
• rejoin
• sign up (for)

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 action revolves around the theft of Santa’s magic bag by a naughty elf, forcing him to enlist the help of a thief called Vance, played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson, to get it back. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Carrying only a firearm that Todd left in the car’s glove compartment, Fang enlists the help of Tanker and Munch, as well as the Shelby’s AI assistant Helene (Stella Stocker), in order to locate fuel and supplies and evade the police. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Ander enlists the broader employee base to taste test the food. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Art—in the broadest sense—has been enlisted to this aim in the region at least once before, namely in the construction of hundreds of new churches during the spiritual low point of the immediate postwar period. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing enlist

• re-enlist

Rhymes for enlist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids 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

enlistment

-ˈlis(t)-mənt 

noun