evangelize

verb

evan·​ge·​lize i-ˈvan-jə-ˌlīz How to pronounce evangelize (audio)
evangelized; evangelizing

transitive verb

1
: to preach the gospel to
2
: to convert to Christianity

intransitive verb

: to preach the gospel
evangelization noun
evangelizer noun

Examples of evangelize in a Sentence

The missionaries set out to evangelize the world. They were evangelizing about the importance of saving energy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Neal Rubin Carrie Klingelsmith evangelizes about hunger anyplace that will let her through the door. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025 Han evangelizes the many ways that self-driving vehicles—and moving away from a car-centric culture—can improve society. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025 For me, the goal is not to evangelize for nuclear but to remove the emotion and add data. Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Elsewhere, Ba has evangelized the kind of faster, more reliable access to the internet that 2Africa promises. Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evangelize

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of evangelize was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Evangelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on evangelize

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