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

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

As a conscientious objector during the Korean War in 1951, Lawson served 14 months in jail for refusing to report for the draft, and he used his imprisonment as an opportunity to study nonviolent protest.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2024

Gumbleton said if he were a young man drafted into U.S. military service at that time he would go to jail or even leave the country if turned down as a conscientious objector.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Benjamin Britten enjoyed an extended holiday in America, while Michael Tippett, a conscientious objector, produced an eloquent and moving wartime plea for unfashionable pacifism in his oratorio A Child of Our Time.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall