proselytize

verb

pros·​e·​ly·​tize ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz How to pronounce proselytize (audio)
proselytized; proselytizing

intransitive verb

1
: to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2
: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

transitive verb

: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
proselytization
ˌprä-s(ə-)lə-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce proselytize (audio)
ˌprä-sə-ˌlī-tə-
noun
proselytizer noun

Did you know?

Proselytize comes from the noun proselyte, meaning “a new convert,” which in turn ultimately comes from the Greek prosēlytos, meaning “stranger” or “newcomer.” When proselytize entered English in the 17th century, it had a distinctly religious connotation and meant simply “to recruit religious converts.” This meaning is still common, but today one can also proselytize in a broader sense—recruiting converts to one’s political party or pet cause, for example.

Examples of proselytize in a Sentence

They are a sport-shirted, discomforted lot, pacing, puffing feverishly on cigarettes, perspiring freely and proselytizing furiously. Nicholas Dawidoff, Sports Illustrated, 19 Aug. 1991
His prodigious correspondence with twenty-five hundred scientists, politicians, and men of letters … proselytized for his new science of statistics. Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports. the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive
Recent Examples on the Web His fans read his work repeatedly and proselytize how much his literary output is undervalued. Scott Hocker, theweek, 31 Jan. 2024 Bill Thomas, owner-operator of the Jack Rose Dining Saloon, an award-winning whiskey bar in Washington, D.C., was one of those early aficionados who have been proselytizing about high-proof spirits for 20 years. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2024 There have always been those who proselytize about the healing effects of water, but bottled water didn’t take off in America until the 1970s, when Perrier essentially created the market. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Dec. 2023 Corwin, captivated, devoured other beaver books and articles, and soon started proselytizing to his friend Dan Ackerstein, a sustainability consultant who works with Google. Ben Goldfarb, WIRED, 28 Dec. 2023 The Taliban charged Corbett, 40 years old, and his colleague with proselytizing Christianity, which Corbett’s family and colleague have denied. Brett Forrest, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023 This is exactly the Pit Viper hustle, and it’s been baked into Mumford and Garcin’s process from the start, never missing an opportunity to proselytize the Party Mountain vibe. Nicole Gull McElroy, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023 By the end, the witnesses who’ve undergone these experiences are proselytizing, with beatific smiles, for the eternal life of the soul. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023 Chau was someone with a likely messiah complex, not some proselytizing relief worker or house-builder in a poor country. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proselytize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see proselyte entry 1

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proselytize was in 1679

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Dictionary Entries Near proselytize

Cite this Entry

“Proselytize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proselytize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proselytize

verb
pros·​e·​ly·​tize ˈpräs-(ə-)lə-ˌtīz How to pronounce proselytize (audio)
proselytized; proselytizing
1
: to talk someone into changing religious faith
2
: to try to get new people to join one's cause or group

More from Merriam-Webster on proselytize

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