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

Example Sentences

The president’s campaign released a digital ad featuring three veterans criticizing Donald Trump as ‘a draft dodger,’ unfit to be commander in chief.

From New York 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