Definition of proselytenext
as in recruit
a person who has recently been persuaded to join a religious sect an adult proselyte who had only recently been baptized

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proselyte

2 of 2

verb

as in to convert
to persuade to change to one's religious faith she's been trying to proselyte everyone in the office ever since she joined that church

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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 proselyte
Noun
Seneca went on to become a proselyte for the Stoic path, extolling its benefits in a long run of prose essays while also serving—in some eyes, dishonorably—as an adviser to Nero. James Romm, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021 Rashi concludes that the text, therefore, must refer to a ger, a proselyte, who has died leaving no next of kin among the Jewish People. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 17 May 2021 Kitselman also became a proselyte for the history of Waterford, helping to create educational programming at the town’s Second Street School. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2021 Enter proselytes in acetate eyeglasses and Rosie Pope workwear, drawn by listservs like Brooklynitos and Fort Greene Kids and BoCoCa Moms (BoCoCa being an acronym for three adjacent Brooklyn neighborhoods). Sonja Sharp, latimes.com, 27 June 2018
Verb
In the last year, non-podcast media and podcast networks eager to capitalize on video to enhance their bottom line have been proselyting for video like telemarketers trying to hawk extended car warranties. Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proselyte
Noun
  • And whenever this season ends, even if that’s after a 16-game run to the national championship game, this crop of recruits might play the least of any Freeman first-year haul.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • See top recruits, productive returners, underrated gems and more.
    Charles Baggarly August 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Timo Werner converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the fourth minute.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Within a mind-spinning eight months, Zori Timeless Hotel was born, cleverly converted from the old pension into four luxurious residences within the confines of strict planning regulations that forced them to use the existing space.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The battle for Charlotte’s wealth Charlotte’s hometown banking giants like Truist and Bank of America, as well as San Francisco’s Wells Fargo, are competing with aggressive out-of-state newcomers to capture clients.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Beach today may be filled with newcomers, cranes and construction, deals and demolitions.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • History Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German pastor and Anglican missionary, arrived to proselytize in what is now Kenya in 1844.
    Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 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

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Cite this Entry

“Proselyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselyte. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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