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
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
Scherzer has been proselytizing his argument for several years, as M.L.B. has continued to study the issue with what appears to be more intellectual curiosity than urgency.
—Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
But her proselytizing about contraception and her work with prostitutes made even her friends uncomfortable.
—Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proselytize
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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
Scherzer has been proselytizing his argument for several years, as M.L.B. has continued to study the issue with what appears to be more intellectual curiosity than urgency.
—Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
But her proselytizing about contraception and her work with prostitutes made even her friends uncomfortable.
—Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 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 21 May. 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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