Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

convert

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of convert

1 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 of convert

neophyte, proselyte
Words Related to convert

regenerate

newcomer, novice, novitiate, recruit

catechumen
2 one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
  • the British biologist T. H. Huxley was one of the earliest converts to Darwinʼs theory of evolution
Synonyms of convert

acolyte, adherent, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan (also partizan), pupil, votarist, votary
Words Related to convert

apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier

faithful, loyalist

advocate, backer, champion, supporter

protégé, scholar, student

ideologist, ideologue (also idealogue), sectarian

admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater (or idolator), worshipper (or worshiper), zealot

apparatchik, camp follower, flunky (also flunkey), hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, yes-man
Near Antonyms of convert

apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat
Antonyms of convert

coryphaeus, leader

convert

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of convert

1 to persuade to change to oneʼs religious faith
  • young missionaries who go door-to-door trying to convert people
Synonyms of convert

proselyte, proselytize
Words Related to convert

missionize

brainwash, influence, sway

propagate
Near Antonyms of convert

secularize

dissuade
2 to change in form, appearance, or use
  • the old factory was converted into an apartment building
Synonyms of convert

alchemize, make over, metamorphose, transfigure, transform, transmute, transpose, transubstantiate
Words Related to convert

adjust, alter, modify, recast

redefine, redesign, redo, reengineer, refashion, regenerate, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary

deform, disfigure, distort, mutate, transmogrify

displace, replace, substitute, supplant
3 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 of convert

argue, bring, bring around, convince, gain, get, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over)
Words Related to convert

blandish, blarney, cajole, coax, entreat, exhort, fast-talk, urge, wheedle

allure, beguile, lead on, lure, seduce, snow, tempt

brainwash, overpersuade

incline, influence, move, prompt, sell, sway

attract, draw, entice, interest

chew over, converse, debate, discuss, dispute, hash (over), moot

reason (with)
Near Antonyms of convert

deter, discourage, dissuade, unsell
4 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 of convert

appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, expropriate, pirate, preempt, press, seize, take over, usurp
Words Related to convert

annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester

assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest

despoil, loot, pillage

encroach, infringe, invade, occupy, preoccupy, trespass

embezzle, misapply, misappropriate, misuse, peculate

Synonym Discussion of convert

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing. transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.
    • transformed a small company into a corporate giant
metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.
    • awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas
transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.
    • attempted to transmute lead into gold
convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.
    • converted the study into a nursery
transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.
    • a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince
transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.
    • joy transfigured her face

Learn More about convert

  1. See words that rhyme with convert Dictionary: Definition of convert Spanish Central: Translation of convert Nglish: Translation of convert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of convert for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up convert? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

magniloquent

Listen to the pronounciation of magniloquent

grandiloquent, ostentatious, or bombastic

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  2. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  3. crawdad New novel makes waves

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games