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
Joe Hand reportedly enlists up to 1,000 investigators on a major fight night.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet Iran has long engaged in assassination plots in the United States, often by enlisting third-party criminal groups, and may yet seek to activate such a program.
—Jacob Ware, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Emboldened by the death of a classmate in the Vietnam War, Mueller enlisted in the Marines in 1968, serving two years in Vietnam as a platoon leader, during which he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, two Commendation Medals and other recognition.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
In a particularly craven twist, this letter enlisted the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause to halt or hinder affinity programming in schools.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet Iran has long engaged in assassination plots in the United States, often by enlisting third-party criminal groups, and may yet seek to activate such a program.
—Jacob Ware, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
Emboldened by the death of a classmate in the Vietnam War, Mueller enlisted in the Marines in 1968, serving two years in Vietnam as a platoon leader, during which he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, two Commendation Medals and other recognition.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
In a particularly craven twist, this letter enlisted the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause to halt or hinder affinity programming in schools.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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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