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

Construction companies already struggle to recruit sufficient skilled workers, while many existing workers were approaching retirement. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 Benin has even recruited Hollywood director Spike Lee, who received citizenship and became an ambassador for the initiative. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

Over two hours away through miles of dense forest, before any stadium lights flicked on in Summit at Southwest Mississippi Community College, Nolan’s coaches and teammates found several ways to remember their promising recruit Thursday. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 The educational overhaul effectively helps create a stream of potential recruits from the classroom to the army. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recruit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recruit

Verb

Dismissing the general manager who hired Espada doesn’t bode well, but Crane made a clear distinction between the two men during the aftermath.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Scott hired Luca Khouri, a Jamaican artist, to photograph the campaign at the end of March, which was styled by Marika-Ella Ames.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hire

Verb

The aircraft’s multi-role design also gives commanders greater flexibility in employing it for different missions rather than limiting it to the traditional air-superiority role associated with earlier Eagle variants.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
In a document filed in federal court, an attorney for LAHSA said the signature was applied by a staff member who did not realize the contract was related to the nonprofit that employed Adams Kellum’s husband.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of employ

Noun

Since achieving widespread fame in 2013, Rettig has overseen gatherings that have introduced thousands of novices to toad smoking.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
What would have taken a novice lapsed coder like me hours of time struggling with physics models and code references was already in a functional, ready-to-test state with minimal effort.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

After sitting behind Dillon Gabriel for a season, Moore displayed considerable progress in 2025 and played with more poise than when he was thrust into the starting role at UCLA as a true freshman in 2023.

— Antonio Morales, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The majority of their starters spent the second half conversing with folks in the stands, pads long gone, while Jones took the field for his first snaps as a true freshman.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of freshman

Noun

Her plans include creating a ballroom, cultural and arts center where younger people can practice, newcomers can learn the history and elders can transfer their knowledge.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Amin is partnered with newcomer Drew Brees, who is fresh off his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

— Takashi Williams, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

Yarn crafters of all skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced makers, the release said.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is one of the best telescopes for beginner-to-intermediate stargazers who want to view deep-sky objects and appreciate assistance in manually locating the targets.

— Paul Brett, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

Veteran Jamal Adams tore his quad in the team’s first preseason game, and undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas sprained his ankle in the final preseason game.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes led the way with 11 rookies from the 2026 Draft class on NFL rosters, followed by Texas A&M, which had 10 former Aggies make it to the league.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of recruit

verb

noun

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