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

evangelizer

2 of 2

noun

evan·​ge·​liz·​er

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that evangelizes

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

Stephen Colbert, one of my heroes, has spent decades evangelizing Tolkien’s compassion and courage. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

No doubt many other religious institutions have seized on the World Cup with these and other emphases, including evangelizing and otherwise stressing their uniqueness. — Vahe Gregorian july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

The vast majority of the staff, from servers and sommeliers to porters and guides, hail from the surrounding area and evangelize for the Eastern Tennessee way of life. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English evangeliser, from evangelisen + -er

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