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
The show stars Miles Heizer as a closeted Louisiana teenager who enlists in the Marines and is based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White.
—
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
The late American guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix, who once briefly enlisted in the US army, owned and wore several different types of Hussar pelisses in the 1960s.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Smigiel also enlisted Lorenzo Booker – Newbury Park alum and assistant coach, formerly of Florida State and three NFL teams – to reach out.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Crucially, the audience isn’t only engaged, it’s enlisted.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
The late American guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix, who once briefly enlisted in the US army, owned and wore several different types of Hussar pelisses in the 1960s.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Smigiel also enlisted Lorenzo Booker – Newbury Park alum and assistant coach, formerly of Florida State and three NFL teams – to reach out.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Crucially, the audience isn’t only engaged, it’s enlisted.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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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