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
pros·e·lyt·iza·tion
variants
also British proselytisation
ˌ⸗⸗ˌlītə̇ˈzāshən
plural -s
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
Verb
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
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Related Stories For decades, mainstream Hollywood entertainment generally shied away from environmental themes out of concern that audiences would see it as homework, or even worse, as proselytizing.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 May 2026
The National Federation of Federal Employees and several individual USDA employees sued the department on May 13, alleging that Secretary Brooke Rollins has illegally proselytized workers.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Opponents have argued that hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students and amounts to religious indoctrination by the government.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
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Verb
Ask him to stop sending you videos and other material from his faith and generally stop trying to proselytize you.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Related Stories For decades, mainstream Hollywood entertainment generally shied away from environmental themes out of concern that audiences would see it as homework, or even worse, as proselytizing.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 May 2026
The National Federation of Federal Employees and several individual USDA employees sued the department on May 13, alleging that Secretary Brooke Rollins has illegally proselytized workers.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Opponents have argued that hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students and amounts to religious indoctrination by the government.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
Cite this Entry
“Proselytize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proselytize. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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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