proselytize
verb
pros·e·ly·tize
ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz 
proselytized; proselytizing
1
: to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2
: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
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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
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
Mao and his colleagues channeled local religious practice to proselytize among the peasantry.
—Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017
In addition, the charity avowedly does not proselytize.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
But Buchdahl is not the only Jewish leader today who believes that a tradition of Jews proselytizing has been underemphasized.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Millions of dollars flooded a crowded 2024 GOP primary field, with DeSantis in particular leaning on a historically well-heeled and involved super PAC to proselytize his fighter credentials.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017
In addition, the charity avowedly does not proselytize.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
But Buchdahl is not the only Jewish leader today who believes that a tradition of Jews proselytizing has been underemphasized.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Millions of dollars flooded a crowded 2024 GOP primary field, with DeSantis in particular leaning on a historically well-heeled and involved super PAC to proselytize his fighter credentials.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for proselytize
Dictionary Entries Near proselytize
Cite this Entry
“Proselytize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proselytize. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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proselytize
verb
pros·e·ly·tize
ˈpräs-(ə-)lə-ˌtīz
proselytized; proselytizing
1
: to talk someone into changing religious faith
2
: to try to get new people to join one's cause or group
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