ENGLISH
REFERENCE

enlisted

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɛnˈɫɪstɪd// UK //ɛnlˈɪstɪd// en·list·ed

v. to join the military or to get someone to help you with a task. You use this when you sign up for service or convince a friend to support your plan.

v. to enroll or engage someone for military service or to secure the support and help of others for a specific cause. Often implies a formal commitment or a successful request for cooperation.


SIMPLE

He enlisted in the army after finishing college.

CONTEXTUAL

The charity enlisted several local celebrities to help raise money for the new hospital wing.

COMPLEX

After the declaration of war, thousands of young citizens enlisted voluntarily, while the government simultaneously enlisted the help of private industry to accelerate weapons production.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is both transitive (enlisting someone else) and intransitive (joining the military yourself).

Pitfall

He was enlisted to the army.He enlisted in the army.When joining the military voluntarily, use 'enlisted in' rather than 'enlisted to'.

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