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
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
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
Sophia Takal is a great director and Imogen Poots is a great actor, but this reimagining doth proselytize too much.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024
Strong countries with distinctive ideologies generally try to proselytize, and converts generally flock to a winner.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018
More than half the U.S. population is now able to legally purchase marijuana with a debit card, and plenty of today’s white-collar professionals will happily proselytize about the beneficial effects of microdosing acid or mushrooms or ketamine.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024
During a recent Sunday morning service, Rodriguez, originally from Puerto Rico, was dressed casually and proselytized in English and Spanish.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for proselytize 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024
Strong countries with distinctive ideologies generally try to proselytize, and converts generally flock to a winner.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018
More than half the U.S. population is now able to legally purchase marijuana with a debit card, and plenty of today’s white-collar professionals will happily proselytize about the beneficial effects of microdosing acid or mushrooms or ketamine.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024
During a recent Sunday morning service, Rodriguez, originally from Puerto Rico, was dressed casually and proselytized in English and Spanish.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC News, 6 Sep. 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 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share