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
Only now is the president trying to enlist allies to help end Iran’s effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
—
NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, set your target areas ahead of time, and enlist the help of family members to make this quick reset a part of your pre-weekend routine.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
That’s who Conan O’Brien enlisted to reprise his role of Christmas Adventurers Club member Sandy Irvine from One Battle After Another for a prerecorded bit to close out the Academy Awards.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
To ensure its accuracy, the team has enlisted racer Justin Bell, a class winner at Le Mans.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Instead, set your target areas ahead of time, and enlist the help of family members to make this quick reset a part of your pre-weekend routine.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
That’s who Conan O’Brien enlisted to reprise his role of Christmas Adventurers Club member Sandy Irvine from One Battle After Another for a prerecorded bit to close out the Academy Awards.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
To ensure its accuracy, the team has enlisted racer Justin Bell, a class winner at Le Mans.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 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 19 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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