conscript
Enlist someone for service or duty, often without choice
Examples
In a meeting
“We conscripted everyone from marketing to help close the sale.”
Over coffee
“I got conscripted into helping move furniture this weekend.”
Why this word
draft
conscript emphasizes compulsory military enrollment by law, while draft can be less formal or refer to selection generally
recruit
conscript means forcing into military service, while recruit suggests voluntary enlistment or active persuasion
enlist
conscript implies mandatory enrollment by government authority, while enlist typically suggests voluntary joining
Usage tip
Use somewhat humorously in business contexts when people are recruited with little option to decline. Implies obligation more than voluntary participation.
Etymology
Latin 'conscribere' (to enroll) from con- (together) + scribere (to write) — originally writing names on a military register
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Related words
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To assign a task or responsibility to someone else.
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