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.
His father, Kenneth, was a pacifist and a conscientious objector in World War II, which made the family somewhat outcast in its small hometown. Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 The artist’s father, Kenneth, was a conscientious objector in the Second World War; his mother, Laura, was a strict vegetarian. Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conscientious objector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscientious%20objector. Accessed 18 Jun. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on conscientious objector

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster