conscientious objector

noun

: a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces or bear arms on moral or religious grounds

Examples of conscientious objector in a Sentence

He registered as a conscientious objector.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many service members don't even really know that applying as a conscientious objector, or CO, is an option. Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026 He was imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs as a conscientious objector in 1918. Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 That brings us back to the folly of lionizing Kent as a conscientious objector to Trump and the president’s hawkish foreign policy as of late. David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 In 1963, Zagar met artist Julia Zagar and the pair were married three months later and joined the Peace Corps as conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War. Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conscientious objector

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conscientious objector was in 1916

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Cite this Entry

“Conscientious objector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscientious%20objector. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

conscientious objector

noun
: a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces or to bear arms because of his or her moral or religious beliefs

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