as in recruits
a person forced or required to enroll in military service
as the war continued, the body of enlisted soldiers was supplemented by an increasing number of conscripts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in drafts
to pick especially for required military service
was conscripted into the army shortly after turning 18
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conscripts
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Rehabs throughout South Africa are full of white ex-conscripts.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000—compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
But October 7, which resulted in thousands of casualties and extended service for conscripts and reservists, changed perceptions.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The 1986 film also included accounts by former conscripts who had been forced to participate in the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, making clear the hopelessness and brutality of the war, starkly contrasting with the Kremlin’s version of a war of progress and purpose.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But such streaks of humor and tenderness inevitably give way to the next atrocity, as Hothead conscripts Chicken into her mission to dispatch men.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The spectacle of the Long Walk is even sadder as a stand-in for capitalist expectations, its conscripts literally marching themselves to death as sacrifices to fading American exceptionalism.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The Israeli military has a relatively small active-duty force, comprised mostly of conscripts.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
In fact, in many cases, Russian forces appear to be using conscripts as live test subjects for experimental systems such as this new suit.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Rehabs throughout South Africa are full of white ex-conscripts.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000—compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
But October 7, which resulted in thousands of casualties and extended service for conscripts and reservists, changed perceptions.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The 1986 film also included accounts by former conscripts who had been forced to participate in the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, making clear the hopelessness and brutality of the war, starkly contrasting with the Kremlin’s version of a war of progress and purpose.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But such streaks of humor and tenderness inevitably give way to the next atrocity, as Hothead conscripts Chicken into her mission to dispatch men.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The spectacle of the Long Walk is even sadder as a stand-in for capitalist expectations, its conscripts literally marching themselves to death as sacrifices to fading American exceptionalism.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The Israeli military has a relatively small active-duty force, comprised mostly of conscripts.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscripts
Noun
-
Five transfers, seven high school recruits — and 24 guys coming back for another go-round.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The team has an area-high five players who rank among the top recruits in Dallas-Fort Worth for the Class of 2027.—
Myah Taylor,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat almost never drafts busts.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this week, 43 education advocacy groups called on lawmakers to extend mayoral control by only two years and strip the mayor of his majority appointments to the panel, while a commission drafts a proposal for a new form of school governance.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Dolphins had a decent, although not necessarily strong 2025 draft class despite the fact all seven draftees got playing time last season, and five made at least one start.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Only 2020 draftees Anfernee Jennings and Mike Onwenu have been with the franchise for longer than the 31-year-old veteran.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conscripts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conscripts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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