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)
Synonyms
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
To achieve Ramona’s lush, orchestral sound, Wilson and Cummings enlisted harpist Mary Lattimore, as well as arranger and multi-instrumentalist Drew Erickson, who has played with Weyes Blood, Mitski, and Lana Del Rey.
—
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2024
When Fedotov tried to leave Russia, he was detained on allegations of avoiding his duty to serve in the Russian military and forced to enlist.
—Elissa Harwood, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
The dark, subversive antihero saga begins as Tom is enlisted by Dickie’s father , who mistakenly assumes Tom is a friend of his son , to venture to Italy to cajole him into returning home.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The producers are now looking to complete financing and enlist a narrator, with a wish list headed by Paul Giamatti.
DiTrapano, who died at 47 in 2021, ran literary magazine New York Tyrant and boutique publishing house Tyrant Books.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 Mar. 2024
In Grönwall’s place, Skid Row enlisted the Halestorm rocker, who will join the group for four shows starting in May.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2024
Political power was based on bloodlines, or consanguinity, and the definition of power was essentially the right to spill blood, or enlist others to spill it for you.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
By mid-September, MnDOT had enlisted one firm to both design and build the replacement bridge, which was ultimately completed far faster and cheaper than projected.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
In the mid-1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson enlisted her to expand her teaching methods nationwide.
—Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2024
When Fedotov tried to leave Russia, he was detained on allegations of avoiding his duty to serve in the Russian military and forced to enlist.
—Elissa Harwood, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
The dark, subversive antihero saga begins as Tom is enlisted by Dickie’s father , who mistakenly assumes Tom is a friend of his son , to venture to Italy to cajole him into returning home.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The producers are now looking to complete financing and enlist a narrator, with a wish list headed by Paul Giamatti.
DiTrapano, who died at 47 in 2021, ran literary magazine New York Tyrant and boutique publishing house Tyrant Books.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 Mar. 2024
In Grönwall’s place, Skid Row enlisted the Halestorm rocker, who will join the group for four shows starting in May.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2024
Political power was based on bloodlines, or consanguinity, and the definition of power was essentially the right to spill blood, or enlist others to spill it for you.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
By mid-September, MnDOT had enlisted one firm to both design and build the replacement bridge, which was ultimately completed far faster and cheaper than projected.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
In the mid-1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson enlisted her to expand her teaching methods nationwide.
—Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enlist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing enlist
Dictionary Entries Near enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on enlist
Nglish: Translation of enlist for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of enlist for Arabic Speakers
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