enlisted; enlisting; enlists
1
a
: 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
1
: to enroll oneself in the armed forces
will enlist for three years
2
: to participate heartily (as in a cause, drive, or crusade)
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
The following season, Owen enlisted his close friend Teddy, a cardiothoracic surgeon, to act as the new mentor of his love interest, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh).
—
Max Gao, Variety, 8 May 2026
The thirty-five-year-old New York State assemblyman Alex Bores, a candidate in the pullulating Democratic primary for New York’s Twelfth Congressional District, opted instead to enlist a chatbot.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
When Charlie accidentally concusses himself and forgets their whole night together, Nora enlists the help of best friend and party animal Hailey to painstakingly recreate the same bash, beat by unhinged beat, to win him over again.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The author of Don Quixote (1605, 1615), one of the great works of Spanish literature, Miguel de Cervantes enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish infantry in 1570.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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Max Gao, Variety, 8 May 2026
The thirty-five-year-old New York State assemblyman Alex Bores, a candidate in the pullulating Democratic primary for New York’s Twelfth Congressional District, opted instead to enlist a chatbot.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
When Charlie accidentally concusses himself and forgets their whole night together, Nora enlists the help of best friend and party animal Hailey to painstakingly recreate the same bash, beat by unhinged beat, to win him over again.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The author of Don Quixote (1605, 1615), one of the great works of Spanish literature, Miguel de Cervantes enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish infantry in 1570.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enlist
verb
en·list
in-ˈlist 
1
a
: to enroll for military or naval service
especially
: to join one of the armed services voluntarily
b
: to participate heartily (as in a cause or drive)
2
: to obtain the help or support of
enlisted their friends in the campaign
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