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)
Synonyms
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
According to the New York Times, in a curious move, the latter house reportedly enlisted mega-gallery Pace to charm Louise Riggio, although Sotheby’s and Pace have so far declined to comment.
—
George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 21 Feb. 2025
McCallister, now unemployed, is nervously watching a legal challenge to the executive order by a group of transgender active-duty service members and two others hoping to enlist.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
The off-screen tension was confirmed in December when The New York Times published a bombshell report that accused Baldoni of enlisting the help of a crisis communication firm to wage a social media campaign against Lively.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
And a new cohort of designers will be dressing Snoopy and his bird friend Woodstock, said Sarah Andelman, who helped enlist them and also curated a gift shop chockablock with collectibles, collaborations and a few re-editions for the occasion.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enlist 
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George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 21 Feb. 2025
McCallister, now unemployed, is nervously watching a legal challenge to the executive order by a group of transgender active-duty service members and two others hoping to enlist.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
The off-screen tension was confirmed in December when The New York Times published a bombshell report that accused Baldoni of enlisting the help of a crisis communication firm to wage a social media campaign against Lively.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
And a new cohort of designers will be dressing Snoopy and his bird friend Woodstock, said Sarah Andelman, who helped enlist them and also curated a gift shop chockablock with collectibles, collaborations and a few re-editions for the occasion.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enlist
Dictionary Entries Near enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
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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