RECRUIT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

recruit 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkrüt

Definition of recruit

as in to hire

to provide with a paying job thousands of recent immigrants were recruited to build the nation's rail system

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recruit

2 of 2

noun

as in apprentice

a person who is just starting out in a field of activity the skydiving instructor and other experienced jumpers tried to encourage the new recruits on their first jump

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of recruit

Verb

Cocaine therefore appears to hijack a normal action-selection system rather than recruit a circuit dedicated to abnormal behavior. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 Coaches engage in interstate commerce in numerous ways, including coaching teams that play games in different states, coaching games that are broadcast to different states and by recruiting athletes in different states. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

These kinds of appeals have historically been successful in attracting the diverse recruits – women and people of color – who have been critical to the military’s ability to meet its personnel needs. — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 Arkansas State has a former SEC recruit starting at quarterback along with multiple all-conference players on offense surrounding him. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recruit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recruit

Verb

Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Prediction market exchange Polymarket has hired a near three-decade Goldman Sachs veteran to help lead its push to attract Wall Street liquidity.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
In August, the court approved hiring a private child custody evaluator.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hire

Noun

Flynn said an apprentice level technician can take home $40,000 to $60,000, with experienced electricians commanding north of $100,000.

— Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Beyond laboratory research, US officials intend to use the equipment as a training ground for apprentices and university recruits, helping train the next generation of weapons-control specialists.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Verb

Born into the Church of Scientology and employed by Campbell as a studio gofer for years, Meldal-Johnsen was looking for a gig.

— Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Coates was an active participant in union organizing and was employed by ABM, a facility management company that did contract work for the airport.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of employ

Noun

To a novice taster, sipping out of a plastic Mets carafe, the wine smelled like dry grass and very ripe blackberries.

— Arthur Holland Michel, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
The sizable number of offerings in every box can help bean novices get acquainted with new products and strengthen their bond with favorites.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

Exactly 39 years after the debut of the iconic sitcom, a new sequel series hit Netflix on Thursday, blending a bunch of the beloved returning characters with a fresh class of freshmen.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
Standout freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who racked up 13 catches, 255 yards, four receiving touchdowns and a punt-return touchdown in his first three games with USC, was listed as doubtful.

— Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of freshman

Noun

Then there is Nana (Erin Morton), sweet as pie and a newcomer to the group.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
At 22, the Chilean singer-songwriter, most identifiable by her fire engine red tresses, is one of the most visionary newcomers in the latest wave of post-urbano Latin artists.

— Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

Wagler is one of the team’s promising young players, alongside fellow rookie Baba Miller, Kobe Sanders and the rehabbing Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Schaefer won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie last season.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of rookie

Browse Nearby Words

recrudescing

recruit

recruited

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Recruit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recruit. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of recruit

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

slew

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes