Conscientious Objector (Noun)
Meaning
One who refuses to serve in the armed forces on grounds of conscience.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The young man was a conscientious objector and refused to enlist in the military, citing his strong moral objections to war.
- During World War I, many conscientious objectors were imprisoned or forced into alternative service for their refusal to fight.
- The court ruled that the defendant's status as a conscientious objector exempted him from military service, and he was instead assigned to a civilian work program.
- As a conscientious objector, she was willing to perform community service or other forms of alternative service, but she would not participate in any military activities.
- The conscientious objector movement gained momentum during the Vietnam War, with many young people refusing to serve in the military due to their moral and philosophical objections to the conflict.