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.
Influencers skipped the middleman and built audiences on nontraditional platforms — something Ashe had evangelized years earlier. Mark Dent, HubSpot, 26 Sep. 2025 Previously, new languages could emerge from individuals or small teams evangelizing their approach to potential contributors and users. Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025 Helped create and evangelize a new design engineering language (VHDL). Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025 Is the cause of Wings something that really needs to be … evangelized? Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2025.

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