conscientious objector

[ kon-shee-en-shuhsuhb-jek-ter, kon-see‐ ]
See synonyms for conscientious objector on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a person who refuses on moral or religious grounds to serve in the armed forces or to bear arms in a military conflict.

Origin of conscientious objector

1
First recorded in 1820–30

Words Nearby conscientious objector

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use conscientious objector in a sentence

  • Hostility to the conscientious objector is thus a "projection" of their own inner conflict.

    The Behavior of Crowds | Everett Dean Martin
  • "It hasn't turned me into a conscientious objector, if you mean that," he said.

    Up and Down | Edward Frederic Benson
  • Even a conscientious objector loses his conscience when there is a woman in the case.

    Mud and Khaki | Vernon Bartlett

British Dictionary definitions for conscientious objector

conscientious objector

noun
  1. a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces on the grounds of conscience

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for conscientious objector

conscientious objector

A person who refuses to render military service on the grounds of moral principle or religious belief. A CO must demonstrate a sincere, active, and long-standing objection in order to receive an exemption from armed service. The United States and some European governments officially recognize CO status; approved COs are usually required to perform social service or noncombat military service in place of armed duty. (See also draft, draft dodger, and Selective Service System.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.