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

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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

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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

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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

Five of the country’s six coastal desalination plants — which convert seawater into drinkable water — shut down on Sunday, according to Mekorot, Israel’s national water company. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 After the pandemic shuttered his Inglewood barbershop job, Hector Trinidad reinvented himself, converting a yellow school bus into a curbside barbershop parked just outside USC. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

There’s no better time to stress-test the thesis that Americans were irreversibly beguiled by the World Cup than this weekend, when a new Premier League season gets underway and soccer converts can reunite with their summer heroes. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Weighted vests have moved from niche gym gear to a mainstream fitness staple, and celebrity converts are fueling the trend. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert

Verb

Physical activity, blood pressure, hearing loss, smoking, social isolation, sleep, nutrition, stress management and recovery can all influence our long-term health.

— Mick Safron, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
In the 19th century, flamenco dancers began using the abanico as an expressive prop, as Cuban song and dance styles such as the guajira influenced the dance form.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Embroidery, beading, leatherwork, and fur transform the familiar silhouette, while a new second strap allows it to be slung across the shoulder.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Following Technoblade’s death, more than 400,000 messages from fans were collected in a virtual Minecraft memorial and transformed into 22 books of condolences for his family.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of transform

Verb

But persuading other American companies to follow Chevron into Venezuela remains one of Washington’s biggest challenges.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Proponents may face an uphill battle persuading Newsom to sign the bill, which creates a unique revenue stream to pay for the program.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

But the truth of it is that Sharaa forced his hand by seizing swathes of the SDF’s territory in a lightning offensive in January.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
Who knows more of the injustice of the world than the girl who saw her town seized by a white-supremacist coup, the Wilmington massacre, in 1898?

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of seize

Noun

Breitbart has also published an article skewering Hamilton for suggesting that adherents of other religions might get to Heaven.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Its adherents believe that the relentless pursuit of maximizing individual freedom and rights has come at the cost of community, religion, and traditional norms.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of adherent

Verb

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
Porter sketched Trotsky holding forth at a conference table, proselytizing to the American bureaucrats.

— Dan Chiasson, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of proselytize

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conversions

convert

converted

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“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of convert

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