enlist

verb

en·list | \in-ˈlist,

en-\

enlisted; enlisting; enlists

Definition of enlist

1a : 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)

Other Words from enlist More Example Sentences Learn More about enlist

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Other Words from enlist

enlistee \in-ˌli-ˈstē,

en-, -ˈli-stē \ noun

enlistment \in-ˈlis(t)-mənt,

en- \ noun

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

After high school in rural Iowa, Mr. Voge enlisted in the U.S. Army, learning to intercept Russian communications while stationed in Germany. — Sara Randazzo, WSJ, "The Sexting Scandal That Toppled One of America’s Most Powerful Lawyers," 13 July 2018 In 2016, Zhao enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of a special recruitment program offering immigrants in the country legally a path to citizenship. — Washington Post, "Immigrant PhD candidate rocked by sudden US Army discharge," 6 July 2018 In 2016, Zhao enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of a special recruitment program offering immigrants in the country legally a path to citizenship. — BostonGlobe.com, "Immigrant grad student shocked by abrupt Army discharge," 6 July 2018 In 2016, Zhao enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of a special recruitment program offering immigrants in the country legally a path to citizenship. — Martha Mendoza And Garance Burke, chicagotribune.com, "Immigrant PhD candidate rocked by sudden U.S. Army discharge," 6 July 2018 After high school graduation in 1950, Baker enlisted in the Army at age 17 when the country was at peace. — Carole Carlson, Post-Tribune, "67 years later, Gary soldier gets military funeral: 'My family is just so happy to have him home'," 24 June 2018 Han Solo enlists in the Navy on his home planet of Corellia, a Core World that appears to be firmly under Imperial control. — Amy Erica Smith, Vox, "Solo reveals the weakness of the Star Wars Galactic Empire," 20 June 2018 In fiscal year 2016, 359 DACA recipients had enlisted in the Army – which is the only branch to accept immigrants of this category. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, "What is DACA and what does the Trump administration want to do with it?," 19 June 2018 In previous lawsuits, such as against the University of Texas, Blum enlisted white students as plaintiffs. — Joan Biskupic, CNN, "Lawsuit: Harvard ranks Asian-Americans lower on personality traits," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enlist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.