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

The only goal came from Castilla winger Daniel Yanez, who won and converted a penalty. — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 25 July 2026 The system predicts robot actions by pairing the video model with an action decoder that converts visual predictions into executable robot movements. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Noun

Cooling potatoes after cooking converts some of the starch into resistant starch, which slows blood sugar spikes. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026 And if by some miracle the lead converts into a paying customer, they get paid more. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for convert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert

Verb

DePodesta hypothesized that playing catcher at altitude can potentially influence a hitter on offense, lending credence to the idea that his game might be more complete elsewhere.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Schmidt was charged with three misdemeanors, including second-degree terroristic threatening, disorderly conduct and attempting to influence a public servant, the report states.

— Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

PayJoy, founded by Doug Ricket, is transforming credit access in the global south, enabling millions to afford phones and invest in micro-businesses where traditional credit is scarce.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Downtown San Diego has been transformed into a haphazard movie set with numerous activities for locals without a Comic-Con International badge.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

Definition of transform

Verb

The board also voted down a proposal to increase rider fares to generate between $8 million and $12 million after a lengthy discussion and multiple failed amendments aimed at trying to persuade a majority of directors to pass the motion.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
Dr Chris Vas, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury in southern England, said the EU wants to persuade its manufacturers to go cheaper, the lowest price is more like €15,000 than €10,000.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

Now protesters are using that same platform to mock his administration, ridicule pro-government television news coverage, transform confrontation with police into viral content and seize control of the online narrative.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Investigators also seized boxes that had been resealed and were ready to ship, packages containing modeling clay instead of fragrance products, additional modeling clay, a heat gun, glue and packaging materials, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

Definition of seize

Noun

The former top-50 recruit became social media fodder for playing at four high schools in four years before eventually signing with Georgia.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Dozens of police officers, many of them recent recruits, were eventually disciplined for actions related to police corruption, and many were convicted of crimes related to stealing drugs from traffickers.

— Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

Sloganeering was the lingua franca of what adherents referred to as the Stanley Opportunity.

— Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Baric worked closely with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which many adherents to the lab-leak theory posit as the source of the pandemic; one contingent thinks that Baric might have been the creator of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

— Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of adherent

Verb

Ask him to stop sending you videos and other material from his faith and generally stop trying to proselytize you.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Related Stories For decades, mainstream Hollywood entertainment generally shied away from environmental themes out of concern that audiences would see it as homework, or even worse, as proselytizing.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 May 2026

Definition of proselytize

Verb

Diomande had previously made PSG his destination of choice — but the European champions had not yet shown a willingness to offer a level of fee that would convince Leipzig to consider a sale this summer.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Lowe is convinced that mainstream news outlets are ignoring his inquiry because of political correctness.

— Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of convert

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noun

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