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
  • The former four-star recruit moved to left tackle last year and had an All-SEC season, graded as one of the best linemen in the country.
    PJ Green September 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The recruit allegedly took photos and videos of several locations and was likely paid around $1,500.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But in 1816 the New Hampshire legislature passed a law aimed at converting it into a state-run university.
    Jacob Weisberg, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Many systems still need electronic circuits to control the optical components, convert electrical signals into optical ones, and convert them back again.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Captain Breanna Stewart and newcomers Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were wearing red-and-white versions of their Pumas, Nikes and Reeboks, respectively.
    Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Douthat is the only newcomer added to the opening credits where the correspondents introduce themselves on camera.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Proselyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselyte. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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