RECRUITS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

recruits 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of recruit

as in hires

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

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recruits

2 of 2

noun

plural of recruit

as in apprentices

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

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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 recruits

Verb

The State Department designated Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos, the state entity that manages the missions, and the Unidad Central de Cooperación Médica, which recruits doctors and other health workers for assignments overseas. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 An ever-expanding array of brands — from Microsoft to Victoria’s Secret to Red Bull — regularly recruits student creators through ambassadorship programs and on-campus events. — Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 Both seats are among the National Republican Congressional Committee’s best flip opportunities in the country, and Flores and Tijerina are considered two of the strongest Republican recruits this cycle. — James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 Short-form social content that recruits new audiences and reactivates the ones who drifted away. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Among his credentials, Hansen in 2017 became the only Canadian to lead a new group of NASA astronaut recruits. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 July 2026 Van Der Werf recruits unemployed or underemployed Europeans as young as 18-years-old, into a five-week boot camp run by military veterans to teach teamwork, strength, and discipline. — Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026 Barcott is the co-founder and CEO of With Honor, an organization that recruits bipartisan veterans to run for office. — Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 28 June 2026 Curtis plays Violet Olvido, a journalist who begins investigating a string of killings linked to a shadowy international outsourcing company that recruits remote workers across the Philippines. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2026

Noun

Garnacho had joined a small list of potential recruits, which included Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye and Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United, who is now closing in on a move to Al Hilal. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Prosecutors alleged that employees, friends and several victims themselves were pressured or incentivized to bring new recruits into his orbit. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The investigation documented dozens of deaths among recruits. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Officers and supervisors hired prior to 2025 claimed that new recruits being put on the street are underqualified and, in some cases, have not completed mandatory federal government background checks or been issued security clearances. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026 The recruits will be deployed in Malaysia and tested in the hostile jungle environment. — Matt Minton, Variety, 15 July 2026 Indeed, the stunt succeeded in earning the group media coverage across mainstream outlets, amplifying its brand and potential to reach new recruits. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 11 July 2026 There is concern, however, that the new rule would hurt incoming high school recruits, who could be passed over in favor of experienced transfers who have just received an additional year. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 If nothing else, Patriot Front offers sympathetic groups intent on violence a valuable pool of potential recruits. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recruits

Verb

So, when Thursday’s term sheet was sent to the Blazers, the team was put off by asks from the city, particularly the $3 million annual fee for a property tax offset and a requirement that the team hires union workers.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
What To Watch For Whether Guerrero’s shooting will spur efforts to add guardrails on ICE agents, as Democratic lawmakers told the AP that Brouillette’s allegedly troubled background had exposed flaws in how the agency hires and deploys its officers.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of hires

Noun

There, King Charles works with head gardener Gráinne Ring and her team of 15, including apprentices, to cultivate the 15 acres of blooms, hedges, trees and more.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
According to accounts by Wright’s apprentices, after procrastinating on drawing any plans for nine months, Wright designed the house in two hours in September 1935 while the Kaufmanns were driving to his office to review them.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

Definition of apprentices

Verb

The Steamfitters were staging protests outside the Pfizer site, accusing the MetroLoft — which employs a mix of union and nonunion contractors — of building on the cheap and tolerating unsafe work conditions.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
That adoption, which had previously been unreported, seems consistent for a team that leans on data, employs a Gen Z roster and trusts a coaching staff stocked with millennials who care how fast their pitchers throw ball four.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of employs

Noun

Despite the newcomers at QB and head coach, his talent and lack of target competition give me confidence in an elite season.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Morris may not give away his full intentions but seeing how those newcomers both rush the passer and drop into coverage will impact the 49ers’ strategies.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Definition of newcomers

Noun

Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Although these experiences may sound intimidating, they’re designed for beginners.

— Katie Camero, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Definition of beginners

Noun

Sure, more rookies could potentially push for more playing time but as of this writing, these six are the ones that should occupy most of the attention.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
But defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and LBs coach Shaun Dion Hamilton aren’t afraid to play rookies.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of rookies

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“Recruits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recruits. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recruits

verb

noun

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