draft dodger

noun

1. a person who evades or attempts to evade compulsory military service.

draft dodger

noun

1. one who evades compulsory military service

draft dodger

1. Someone who illegally evades the draft, as opposed to a conscientious objector, who is granted official, legal exemption from military duty. In active protest against United States involvement in the Vietnam War, many Americans publicly burned draft registration cards, risking imprisonment; others fled to other countries, such as Canada.

Word History and Origins

Origin of draft dodger¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Related Words

• absentee