RECRUIT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

recruit 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkrüt

Definition of recruit

as in to hire

to provide with a paying job thousands of recent immigrants were recruited to build the nation's rail system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recruit

2 of 2

noun

as in apprentice

a person who is just starting out in a field of activity the skydiving instructor and other experienced jumpers tried to encourage the new recruits on their first jump

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of recruit

Verb

At that point, college programs weren’t lining up to recruit a 187-pound pass rusher who hadn’t played a down of high school football. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Robinson also had health issues, had no criminal record and was recruited into the scheme by her closest friend of more than 30 years, Bell said. — Nathan Pilling july 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Noun

Now that official visits are starting to wind down, more and more teams and recruits are getting a clearer picture about what the future holds for them in the 2027 cycle. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Some of the new recruits were Marxist-Leninist organizers who saw the DSA’s growing membership as fertile ground. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for recruit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recruit

Verb

Participants in the civil proceedings can hire private stenographers to maintain a record of what’s said, but their services can run thousands of dollars a day.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Under basic labor law, MLB could hire temporary workers during a lockout, but that is not going to happen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of hire

Noun

Across all trades Pennsylvania infamously requires four journeymen per apprentice, as do Maryland and New Jersey.

— Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Guests will hear the shuffle of San Francisco outside the windows, phones ringing, and the lingering voices of apprentices or other clients.

— Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026

Definition of apprentice

Verb

Krystal McFeders, a Unified Government spokesperson, confirmed Friday night that Chism is employed by the government.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Should economic growth threaten one of those aspects, the FOMC is employed to move in order to deliver its objectives.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Definition of employ

Noun

The free Apple Photos is approachable for photography novices but still powerful enough to satisfy those who want extra control.

— Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
Authorities say five instructors, five novice tandem jumpers and the pilot died when the Pilatus PC-6 suddenly fell almost vertically near homes after leaving Nancy-Essey airfield.

— Antonin Utz, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

The pair met in English class on the first day of their freshman year.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026
To follow through on this commitment to affordability, the system implemented the Tuition Stability Plan in 2022, which locks in a student’s tuition and systemwide fees at their freshman-year rate for the duration of their undergraduate education.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of freshman

Noun

In a city whose most iconic statue is a testament to its openness to newcomers, teams from Cape Verde to Paraguay to Congo found local fans and international visitors found compatriots.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Many rural areas in the Midwest had a similar share of immigrants in 1910, but newcomers to the cities tended to be from novel sources like Russia or Italy.

— Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

This summer, attendance grew to more than 500, most of them beginners or amateur climbers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
The limited edition Estes Liberty Star rocket is the perfect model for the job, decked out with a blue and red styling and featuring beginner friendly assembly for an easy setup.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

Philadelphia's roster also includes rookie Labaron Philon, Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, Dalen Terry and Johni Broome.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of rookie

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recrudescing

recruit

recruited

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Style

“Recruit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recruit. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recruit

verb

noun

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