as in recruits
a person forced or required to enroll in military service
as the war continued, the body of enlisted soldiers was supplemented by an increasing number of conscripts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in drafts
to pick especially for required military service
was conscripted into the army shortly after turning 18
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conscripts
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Rehabs throughout South Africa are full of white ex-conscripts.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000—compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
But October 7, which resulted in thousands of casualties and extended service for conscripts and reservists, changed perceptions.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The 1986 film also included accounts by former conscripts who had been forced to participate in the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, making clear the hopelessness and brutality of the war, starkly contrasting with the Kremlin’s version of a war of progress and purpose.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But such streaks of humor and tenderness inevitably give way to the next atrocity, as Hothead conscripts Chicken into her mission to dispatch men.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The spectacle of the Long Walk is even sadder as a stand-in for capitalist expectations, its conscripts literally marching themselves to death as sacrifices to fading American exceptionalism.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The Israeli military has a relatively small active-duty force, comprised mostly of conscripts.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
In fact, in many cases, Russian forces appear to be using conscripts as live test subjects for experimental systems such as this new suit.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Rehabs throughout South Africa are full of white ex-conscripts.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000—compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
But October 7, which resulted in thousands of casualties and extended service for conscripts and reservists, changed perceptions.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The 1986 film also included accounts by former conscripts who had been forced to participate in the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, making clear the hopelessness and brutality of the war, starkly contrasting with the Kremlin’s version of a war of progress and purpose.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But such streaks of humor and tenderness inevitably give way to the next atrocity, as Hothead conscripts Chicken into her mission to dispatch men.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The spectacle of the Long Walk is even sadder as a stand-in for capitalist expectations, its conscripts literally marching themselves to death as sacrifices to fading American exceptionalism.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The Israeli military has a relatively small active-duty force, comprised mostly of conscripts.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscripts
Noun
-
These events are expected to bring significant economic benefits to Athens and offer more opportunities for the Bulldogs to impress potential recruits.—
Sam Crenshaw,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kenyan recruits who have returned to the country have given accounts of being promised skilled jobs such as electricians and plumbers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat almost never drafts busts.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this week, 43 education advocacy groups called on lawmakers to extend mayoral control by only two years and strip the mayor of his majority appointments to the panel, while a commission drafts a proposal for a new form of school governance.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Let’s see what kind of team Pat Riley can put together with a team of draftees.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This group of draftees will evolve drastically over the next two months, with combine measurements and performance serving as a major launchpad for players’ stock.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conscripts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscripts. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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