draft dodger

American  

noun

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

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draft dodger British  

noun

1. one who evades compulsory military service

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draft dodger Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of draft dodger

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Park has been living in the country as what the military authorities consider a draft dodger.

From Los Angeles Times

Was he a draft dodger who fled to Canada on principle to escape military service?

From Los Angeles Times

It was Ali who was the rebel, and people considered him a draft dodger.

From Los Angeles Times

After calling in sick, he hopped into his newly purchased car and drove off to meet his friend Bill Wernecke, a fervent Nazi supporter and an expert draft dodger.

From Literature

Though he was sometimes labeled a draft dodger, he was very much the opposite.

From New York Times

Related Words

• absentee