proselytize
verb
pros·e·ly·tize
ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz 
proselytized; proselytizing
1
: to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2
: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
Did you know?
Proselytize comes from the noun proselyte, meaning “a new convert,” which in turn ultimately comes from the Greek prosēlytos, meaning “stranger” or “newcomer.” When proselytize entered English in the 17th century, it had a distinctly religious connotation and meant simply “to recruit religious converts.” This meaning is still common, but today one can also proselytize in a broader sense—recruiting converts to one’s political party or pet cause, for example.
Examples of proselytize in a Sentence
They are a sport-shirted, discomforted lot, pacing, puffing feverishly on cigarettes, perspiring freely and proselytizing furiously.
—
Nicholas Dawidoff, Sports Illustrated, 19 Aug. 1991
His prodigious correspondence with twenty-five hundred scientists, politicians, and men of letters … proselytized for his new science of statistics.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports.
the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive
Nicholas Dawidoff, Sports Illustrated, 19 Aug. 1991
His prodigious correspondence with twenty-five hundred scientists, politicians, and men of letters … proselytized for his new science of statistics.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports.
the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive
Recent Examples on the Web
But chaplains today tend to draw from a range of texts and traditions, rather than proselytizing their own beliefs.
—Cornelia Powers, The Atlantic, 18 May 2025
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan was among those questioning Wisconsin’s contention that one way organizations can get the exemption is by actively proselytizing.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
For nearly two decades, Govan has proselytized his vision for LACMA reborn, a place liberated from 19th-century academic thinking about the proper role and form of a civic arts institution.
—Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
These were the glory days of celebrity magazines and gossip blogs, and Anderson was ubiquitous, proselytizing about how to get J.Lo’s butt or Gwyneth’s … anything.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
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Cornelia Powers, The Atlantic, 18 May 2025
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan was among those questioning Wisconsin’s contention that one way organizations can get the exemption is by actively proselytizing.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
For nearly two decades, Govan has proselytized his vision for LACMA reborn, a place liberated from 19th-century academic thinking about the proper role and form of a civic arts institution.
—Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
These were the glory days of celebrity magazines and gossip blogs, and Anderson was ubiquitous, proselytizing about how to get J.Lo’s butt or Gwyneth’s … anything.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
Cite this Entry
“Proselytize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proselytize. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proselytize
verb
pros·e·ly·tize
ˈpräs-(ə-)lə-ˌtīz
proselytized; proselytizing
1
: to talk someone into changing religious faith
2
: to try to get new people to join one's cause or group
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