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
After enlisting in the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego in January 1945.
—
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
About 400 lawyers are being enlisted from multiple government divisions to pore over those records, The New York Times first reported late Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Deepfake ads have falsely enlisted Tom Hanks to promote medical products.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
The 2022 graduate of Shikellamy High School in Sunbury enlisted in the Army in 2019 and spent time training across the nation.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
About 400 lawyers are being enlisted from multiple government divisions to pore over those records, The New York Times first reported late Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Deepfake ads have falsely enlisted Tom Hanks to promote medical products.
—Josh Rottenberg, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
The 2022 graduate of Shikellamy High School in Sunbury enlisted in the Army in 2019 and spent time training across the nation.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enlist
Cite this Entry
“Enlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlist. Accessed 6 Jan. 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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