CONVERT Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'convert' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convert are metamorphose , transfigure , transform , transmogrify , and transmute . While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function. // converted the study into a nursery

Q: When is it sensible to use 'metamorphose' instead of 'convert'?

The meanings of metamorphose and convert largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power. // awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

Q: In what contexts can 'transfigure' take the place of 'convert'?

The words transfigure and convert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies. // joy transfigured her face

Q: When can 'transform' be used instead of 'convert'?

While the synonyms transform and convert are close in meaning, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function. // transformed a small company into a corporate giant

Q: When could 'transmogrify' be used to replace 'convert'?

The synonyms transmogrify and convert are sometimes interchangeable, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis. // a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

Q: When would 'transmute' be a good substitute for 'convert'?

While in some cases nearly identical to convert , transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing. // attempted to transmute lead into gold

convert 1 of 2

verb

kən-ˈvərt

Definition of convert

as in to influence

to persuade to change to one's religious faith young missionaries who go door-to-door trying to convert people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to transform

to change in form, appearance, or use the old factory was converted into an apartment building

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to persuade

to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request many who used to insist that global warming was a myth have since been converted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seize

to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right the bailee converted the goods to his own use

Synonyms & Similar Words

convert

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌvərt

as in recruit

a person who has recently been persuaded to join a religious sect the converts were the most vocal and fervent worshippers in the church

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another the British biologist T. H. Huxley was one of the earliest converts to Darwin's theory of evolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word convert different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convert are metamorphose, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

When is it sensible to use metamorphose instead of convert?

The meanings of metamorphose and convert largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

In what contexts can transfigure take the place of convert?

The words transfigure and convert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When can transform be used instead of convert?

While the synonyms transform and convert are close in meaning, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When could transmogrify be used to replace convert?

The synonyms transmogrify and convert are sometimes interchangeable, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When would transmute be a good substitute for convert?

While in some cases nearly identical to convert, transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

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 convert

Verb

With summer temperatures soaring past 45°C, nine of the city’s biggest malls were converted into indoor running routes between June and September, attracting 100,000 participants. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026 But can Democrats convert their electoral victory into meaningful progress for the American people? — Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Noun

Nobody Wants This is back for a third season of dancing around the real issues of contemporary Judaism in America so that maybe Kristen Bell’s convert character Joanne can learn about hamantaschen rather than have one political conversation. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 Finnish trend and branding expert Katja Presnal is a newer convert to Nordic walking. — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert

Verb

Johnson allegedly influenced district school board members to approve the purchase, including arranging a meeting between the reseller’s CEO and district officials, according to the complaint.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
The authors used data from 864 dogs collected in the Dog Aging Project to map patterns of DNA methylation (which influences how much certain genes are turned on or off) across the entire genome.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

That not only built his national name recognition but also transformed him into a fundraising juggernaut.

— Andrew Schneider, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
While property tax politics have changed very little, Hynes will take over an office much transformed compared with when his uncle, former assessor Thomas Hynes, ran it between 1979 and 1997.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of transform

Verb

And Michael was obviously the most on my case, and there was no persuading him otherwise.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
In 2020, Ben Motal aptly persuaded the Court of Appeals that the FOIA's right to copy records includes photographing them, after Little Rock incredibly barred him from snapping a picture of an accident report.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

However, such a tie-up would be the largest in history and would almost certainly raise antitrust concerns that Democrats would seize upon.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Washington seized control of Venezuela's oil exports in January after ousting former President Nicolás Maduro in a military raid.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of seize

Noun

Last year, several Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News some of the ICE recruits had failed to meet the standards for hire, including having disqualifying criminal backgrounds or lacking physical or academic requirements.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
That quartet includes senior guard/forward Mallorie Rose, a Jacksonville State softball recruit, senior forward/center Olivia Adams, junior guard Jenna Walker and junior guard Camry Krueger.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

During the ’50s, Zeno forged a connection with André Breton, a cofounder of Surrealism, and exhibited alongside the movement’s adherents in Europe.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
But experts and adherents alike warn that this idea fails to reckon with how different traditions and worldviews can often contradict one another.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of adherent

Verb

Other movies would have made a religious ideal of the suffering mother, attempted to proselytize its audiences, or wallowed in the melodramatic urge for a father figure.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026
Yet some European philosophers were intrigued by the monism of Vedanta philosophy, whereas Evangelical Christians saw the same monism as a foundation for proselytizing Christian monotheism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of proselytize

Verb

The feud accelerated over the closing weeks of the campaign when Cenk Uygur’s Rebellion PAC began running the anti-Israel ad that would eventually convince Stevens to endorse Rogers.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Unity government Netanyahu could try to convince Eisenkot and his right-leaning allies to instead ally with the prime minister.

— Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of convince

Browse Nearby Words

conversions

convert

converted

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Style

“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of convert

verb

noun

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