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
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
The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.
—Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
However, state officials argue that the Catholic Charities Bureau does not qualify because its services—such as caring for the elderly and disabled—are not overtly religious or tied to proselytizing.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
And Justice Elena Kagan pointed out that some religions proselytize and some don’t.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
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Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.
—Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
However, state officials argue that the Catholic Charities Bureau does not qualify because its services—such as caring for the elderly and disabled—are not overtly religious or tied to proselytizing.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
And Justice Elena Kagan pointed out that some religions proselytize and some don’t.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 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 1 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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