Synonyms of recruit

recruit 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkrüt 

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

• hire
• employ
• engage
• enlist
• retain
• pay
• place
• sign (up or on)
• job
• fee
• assume
• lay on
• take on
• partner
• promote
• rehire
• reemploy
• reengage
• upgrade
• contract
• apprentice
• subcontract
• keep (on)
• scout
• headhunt
• advance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• can
• dismiss
• sack
• axe
• discharge
• fire
• ax
• lay off
• lock out
• furlough

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

• apprentice
• novice
• freshman
• newcomer
• beginner
• rookie
• fledgling
• virgin
• student
• greenhorn
• tenderfoot
• newbie
• tyro
• novitiate
• colt
• neophyte
• rook
• cub
• trainee
• candidate
• punk
• boot
• babe
• abecedarian
• amateur
• learner
• dabbler
• entrant
• probationer
• dilettante

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• veteran
• vet
• master
• expert
• pro
• old hand
• professional
• old-timer

Examples of recruit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Our goal this cycle was to recruit candidates who could win a primary and close the deal in November. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024

Bicknell says that during the financial crisis his team was able to triple in size by recruiting high-quality people who were leaving bigger firms. —Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

The Space Force brought in 716 recruits — a bit more than its goal of 659. —Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

College and professional sports, with their skyrocketing salaries, draw recruits hoping to climb the socioeconomic ladder; the military offers financial and educational opportunities. —Lillian Davies, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024