proselytism

noun

1
: the act of becoming or condition of being a proselyte : conversion
2
: the act or process of proselytizing

Examples of proselytism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Over the past 50 years, evangelical media outlets have flourished during moments of conflict and where weak government control has created openings for proselytism. Febe Armanios, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2026 Catholic Charities stressed that the Catholic faith forbids misusing works of charity for proselytism. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 7 June 2025 Actually, proselytism itself is somewhat of a foreign concept to Orthodox Jews, as they are commanded to push away newcomers. David Harsanyi, National Review, 17 Nov. 2020 Whether the converts are repulsed by the violent forms Islam has taken in places like Syria and Afghanistan or are backing up their claims for asylum, the conversions occur quietly and rarely as a result of proselytism. Annabelle Timsit, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2017 These spaces included both literal ungoverned territory and discursive spaces, where radicals were newly able to engage in dawa, or proselytism. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proselytism was in 1649

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Cite this Entry

“Proselytism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proselytism. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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