proselyte 1 of 2

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 In order to understand this idea, the special relationship between God and the proselyte must be examined. 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 Christian Angermayer is an unlikely proselyte of psychedelia: The German financier didn’t drink so much as a sip of beer for the first three decades of his life. Meghana Keshavan, Scientific American, 9 July 2019 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 The authors observe that Yemeni Jews share elevated IBD with other Jewish populations, suggesting more than an indigenous proselyte origin for this community. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proselyte
Noun
  • Outhouse, a four-star recruit, commanded more than 40 offers.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026
  • In 2023, Ole Miss was the only SEC program that signed more transfers than high school recruits.
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Johnson made a 3 and then converted fast-break layup for a three-point play to push the lead to 30.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Mead's homer in the third put Australia up 3-1 after the Czechs failed to convert a double play early in the inning that eventually gave Mead a chance to bat.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Now, the ball belongs to Tate, with varsity newcomers in junior Jenna Manfre and freshman Savannah Jones in the mix to help out.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Leonardo DiCaprio is back in Oscar-ready form as a stoner former revolutionary who is left by his spirited love (Teyana Taylor) and struggles to save his daughter (fabulous newcomer Chase Infiniti) from a dastardly nemesis (Sean Penn).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The two firms that have proselytized the recapitalization of enterprise software the most in this field are Thoma Bravo, with about $184 billion in assets, and Vista Equity Partners, with about $100 billion.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Now in its 40th year, the foundation was established in honor of the eponymous chef who began his own culinary school, authored numerous cookbooks and proselytized cooking with whole foods.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Proselyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselyte. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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