conscientious objector

American  

[kon-shee-en-shuhs uhb-jek-ter, kon-see‐] / ˌkɒn ʃiˈɛn ʃəs əbˈdʒɛk tər, ˌkɒn si‐ /

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.

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conscientious objector British  

noun

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

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conscientious objector Cultural  

1. 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.)

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Etymology

Origin of conscientious objector

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

A conscientious objector who did military service as a hospital orderly, he trained at the Bradford School of Art and then at London's Royal College, from which he graduated with a Gold Medal distinction.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

His father, Kenneth, was a conscientious objector who detested social injustice, nuclear weapons and smoking in equal measure.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

He declared himself a conscientious objector during World War II. He was imprisoned, abandoned by his family and returned to Birmingham only to be further ostracized.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

In 1985, as the Year of the Pacific approached, the ship’s captain was Peter Willcox, a lifelong seaman and conscientious objector from Vietnam who’d devoted his career to environmental action on the oceans.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

No offence to Frank, but after the fiasco at Fort Sumter Leo had become a conscientious objector to riding giant eagles.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan