evangelize

1 of 2

verb

evan·​ge·​lize i-ˈvan-jə-ˌlīz 

evangelized; evangelizing

transitive verb

1

: to preach the gospel to

2

: to convert to Christianity

intransitive verb

: to preach the gospel

evangelization

i-ˌvan-jə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

evangelizer noun

evangelization

2 of 2

noun

evan·​ge·​li·​za·​tion -lə̇ˈzāshən 

-ˌlīˈz-

plural -s

: the act or process of evangelizing : the state of being evangelized

Examples of evangelize in a Sentence

Verb

The missionaries set out to evangelize the world.

They were evangelizing about the importance of saving energy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Brian Contos is the Field CISO at Mitiga with 30+ years of experience building successful companies and evangelizing cybersecurity. —Brian Contos, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Catholics began to resurface around 1837 with another wave of European migrants who evangelized in the streets and in the name of the poor and immigrants. —Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Technology leaders who have taken the podium as graduation speakers of late may have figured out AI evangelizing isn’t polling well with young professionals, and tweaked their messaging accordingly. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 15 June 2026

The actor and comedian, who was married to Katy Perry, has reinvented himself as a Christian convert who evangelizes about free speech and free thinking in MAGA America. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin evangelization-, evangelizatio, from evangelizatus (past participle of evangelizare) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for evangelize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize