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
OpenAI enlisted WilmerHale, the distinguished law firm responsible for the internal investigations of Enron and WorldCom, to conduct the review.
—
Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Shoppers who grew up on disposable fast fashion are enlisting tailors and seamstresses to give off-the-rack purchases a custom fit or personal flair, to revive secondhand finds or to extend the lives of their wardrobes, according to fashion industry experts.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The company is working to recover the ship, and has activated a crisis management plan and enlisted an Australian marine recovery and salvage expert.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
The guys were all drafted or enlisted in their own right and were ready and willing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enlist
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Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Shoppers who grew up on disposable fast fashion are enlisting tailors and seamstresses to give off-the-rack purchases a custom fit or personal flair, to revive secondhand finds or to extend the lives of their wardrobes, according to fashion industry experts.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The company is working to recover the ship, and has activated a crisis management plan and enlisted an Australian marine recovery and salvage expert.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
The guys were all drafted or enlisted in their own right and were ready and willing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 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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