conscript

1 of 3

noun

con·​script ˈkän-ˌskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
Synonyms of conscript
: a conscripted person (such as a military recruit)

conscript

2 of 3

adjective

con·​script ˈkän-ˌskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
1
: enrolled into service by compulsion : drafted
2
: made up of conscripted persons

conscript

3 of 3

verb

con·​script kən-ˈskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
conscripted; conscripting; conscripts

transitive verb

: to enroll into service by compulsion : draft
was conscripted into the army

Synonyms of conscript

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of conscript in a Sentence

Noun as the war continued, the body of enlisted soldiers was supplemented by an increasing number of conscripts Verb The government is conscripting men for the army. He was conscripted into the army.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And the erotic aspects of the ass, too, could swell their ranks with new conscripts, new stories, new vibrations and vulnerabilities. — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 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
Adjective
Still, Russia’s proxy leaders there have had to forcibly conscript soldiers as casualties have risen. — Marc Santora, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2022 Morale is perhaps the largest issue, with conscript troops abandoning vehicles and vanishing into forests. — Benjamin H. Friedman, The Week, 20 Mar. 2022
Verb
Maybe drafted is more like it, as when he was conscripted to have a blue clay face mask applied. — Tracy Smith, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026 And a reverse centaur is someone who is conscripted to help the machine. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for conscript

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of French conscrit, from Latin conscriptus, past participle of conscribere to enroll, enlist, from com- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conscript was in 1799

Rhymes for conscript

See All Rhymes for conscript

Browse Nearby Words

conscribe
conscript
conscription
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conscript.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscript. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conscript

1 of 3 adjective
con·​script ˈkän-ˌskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
1
: enrolled into service by force
2
: made up of conscripted persons

conscript

2 of 3 verb
con·​script kən-ˈskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
: to enroll into service by force : draft
was conscripted into the army
conscription
kən-ˈskrip-shən
noun

conscript

3 of 3 noun
con·​script ˈkän-ˌskript How to pronounce conscript (audio)
: a conscripted person (as a military recruit)

More from Merriam-Webster on conscript

Nglish: Translation of conscript for Spanish Speakers

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