Definition of catechizenext
1
as in to ask
to put a question or questions to her roommates catechized her about every detail of her first day at her new job

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2
as in to interrogate
to put a series of questions to applicants are rigorously catechized by the seminary's rector regarding their motives for joining the priesthood

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catechize Priests could not catechize children, bring the sacraments to the sick, or do pastoral work outside the local churchyard. George Weigel, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catechize
Verb
  • When asked about his All-Star nod over the weekend, Joe Ryan focused on his team’s offense and the upcoming schedule instead of himself.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Darnell didn’t have an answer when asked if Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in the final game of the California Classic.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • The Average Problem Dines has been running his own experiments with frontier models, asking them to write in distinct styles and then interrogating them about why the output comes back bland.
    Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Her new album, Fata Morgana, uses an array of cascading rhythms, impish hooks, and fierce poetry to interrogate her place in a corrupt American society.
    Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Buchhorn’s conviction was overturned in 2021, after the Court of Appeals of Kansas found Buchhorn’s defense did not sufficiently question Erik Mitchell of Frontier Forensics Midwest, an independent contractor who performed Oliver’s autopsy.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • Trump has routinely teased the possibility of seeking a third term since returning to office and openly questioned whether he would be allowed to do so.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • Apple examines each application and each update of every third-party app, and if these don’t meet Apple’s definition of acceptable, then they are not allowed to be installed.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • These agencies examine the water in comparison to contamination thresholds to determine if the area is swimmable.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Catechize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catechize. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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