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

Damiani enlisted an American nonprofit research institute to narrow down the number. — Wired, "One Scientist’s Quest to Bring DNA Sequencing to Every Sick Kid," 30 Aug. 2019 Developers have enlisted similar tactics to great effect on Twitter and Reddit, using flashy GIFs to sell games like Clustertruck and Falcon Age. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Valve's intriguing 'Steam Labs' experiments help you find new games to play in a sea of releases," 11 July 2019 North Korea has enlisted China’s help to stop the flow of refugees – the Chinese government sends back defectors as a matter of policy – and those arrested face punishment ranging from indefinite prison terms to the death penalty. — Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, "In N. Korea nuclear talks, what about human rights?," 20 June 2019 The Vietnam War was picking up steam and her oldest child, Jim Biesen, of Schererville, had just enlisted in the service the week before he would've been drafted, Haack said. — Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, "Flag Lady remembered for giving Northwest Indiana one of its most enduring monuments," 14 June 2019 How Don became a lieutenant Don received an appointment to Officer Candidate School and enlisted in the Army, probably early in 1942 and likely with some help from his paper’s publisher. — oregonlive.com, "The brother I never knew, lost to my family on D-Day," 6 June 2019 The owner of the building in dispute was actually a black Pentecostal church, whose leaders had asked a Jewish tenant to evict a black subtenant, who enlisted the aid of Sharpton and other race-baiters to whip up street protests. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Al Sharpton Is Not a Civil-Rights Hero," 31 July 2019 Those who can are enlisting friends and relatives to transport them home or take them in. — Erin Woo, The Mercury News, "Shooting investigation leaves Garlic Festival vendors stranded in Gilroy," 30 July 2019 Jackson was a quiet, hard-working guy who enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in 1948 with a group of friends from Richland Center. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Ralph Jackson never came home to Richland Center from the Korean War. On Saturday, his hometown will honor him.," 22 July 2019

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.