Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense proselytizes, present participle proselytizing, past tense, past participle proselytizedregional note: in BRIT, also use proselytise
verb
If you proselytize, you try to persuade someone to share your beliefs, especially religious or political beliefs.
[formal]
I assured him we didn't come here to proselytize. [VERB]
Christians were arrested for trying to convert people, to proselytise them. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: convert, win over, spread the gospel to, evangelize to More Synonyms of proselytize
More Synonyms of proselytize
proselytize in British English
or proselytise (ˈprɒsɪlɪˌtaɪz)
verb
to convert (someone) from one religious faith to another
Derived forms
proselytization (ˌproselytiˈzation) or proselytisation (ˌproselytiˈsation)
noun
proselytizer (ˈproselytˌizer) or proselytiser (ˈproselytˌiser)
noun
proselytize in American English
(ˈprɑsəlɪˌtaɪz; ˈprɑsəˌlaɪtˌaɪz)
verb intransitive, verb transitiveWord forms: ˈproselytˌized or ˈproselytˌizing
1.
to try to convert (a person), especially to one's religion
2.
to persuade to do or join something, especially by offering an inducement
Derived forms
proselytizer (ˈproselytˌizer)
noun
Examples of 'proselytize' in a sentence
proselytize
The way you gripped the Quadlings we used to proselytize, as if they were your own private dolls!
Gregory Maguire WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST (1995)
1 (verb)
Definition
to attempt to convert (someone)
Christian groups were arrested for trying to proselytize people.
Synonyms
convert
religious people who try to convert others
win over
spread the gospel to
evangelize to
make converts of
bring someone into the fold
bring someone to God
2 (verb)
a Scottish lawyer who proselytized these ideas
Synonyms
promote
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
support
He supported the hardworking people.
champion
He passionately championed the poor.
back
He is backed by the civic movement.
present
further
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
suggest
advance
He was busy advancing other people's work.
spread
urge
He urged restraint on the security forces.
boost
companies seeking to boost their product ranges
sponsor
They are sponsoring a major pop art exhibition.
foster
They are keen to foster trading links with the West.
advocate
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
endorse
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
proclaim
preach
The movement preaches revolution.
peddle
biased newspapers peddling propaganda
espouse
She ran away to Mexico and espoused the revolutionary cause.
propound
She continues to propound her theories about the supernatural.
propagandize
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
Definition
to further a cause
He was busy advancing other people's work.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
further,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
assist,
plug (informal),
pave the way for,
hasten,
patronize,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of advocate
Definition
to recommend a course of action publicly
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
Synonyms
recommend,
support,
champion,
encourage,
propose,
favour,
defend,
promote,
urge,
advise,
justify,
endorse,
campaign for,
prescribe,
speak for,
uphold,
press for,
argue for,
commend,
plead for,
espouse,
countenance,
hold a brief for (informal)
in the sense of back
He is backed by the civic movement.
Synonyms
support,
help,
second,
aid,
champion,
encourage,
favour,
defend,
promote,
sanction,
sustain,
assist,
advocate,
endorse,
side with,
stand up for,
espouse,
stand behind,
countenance,
abet,
stick up for (informal),
take up the cudgels for
Nearby words of
proselytize
prosecution
prosecutor
proselyte
proselytize
prospect
prospective
prospectus
Synonyms of 'proselytize'
proselytize
Explore 'proselytize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boost
Definition
to advertise on a big scale
companies seeking to boost their product ranges
Synonyms
promote,
improve,
encourage,
advance,
advertise,
praise,
plug (informal),
hype,
crack up (informal),
big up (slang)
in the sense of champion
Definition
to support
He passionately championed the poor.
Synonyms
support,
back,
defend,
promote,
advocate,
fight for,
uphold,
espouse,
stick up for (informal),
endorse
in the sense of endorse
Definition
to give approval or support to
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
Synonyms
approve,
back,
support,
champion,
favour,
promote,
recommend,
sanction,
sustain,
advocate,
warrant,
prescribe,
uphold,
authorize,
ratify,
affirm,
approve of,
subscribe to,
espouse,
vouch for,
throw your weight behind
in the sense of espouse
Definition
to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc.)
She ran away to Mexico and espoused the revolutionary cause.
Synonyms
support,
back,
champion,
promote,
maintain,
defend,
adopt,
take up,
advocate,
embrace,
uphold,
stand up for
in the sense of foster
Definition
to promote the growth or development of
They are keen to foster trading links with the West.
Synonyms
develop,
support,
further,
encourage,
feed,
promote,
stimulate,
uphold,
nurture,
cultivate,
foment
in the sense of further
Definition
to assist the progress of (something)
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
develop,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
speed,
advance,
work for,
foster,
contribute to,
assist,
plug (informal),
facilitate,
pave the way for,
hasten,
fast-track,
patronize,
expedite,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of peddle
Definition
to advocate (an idea or information) persistently
biased newspapers peddling propaganda
Synonyms
promote,
publish,
spread,
broadcast,
distribute,
scatter,
circulate,
sow,
disperse,
diffuse,
publicize,
propagate,
disseminate,
promulgate
in the sense of preach
Definition
to speak in support of (something) in a moralizing way
The movement preaches revolution.
Synonyms
urge,
teach,
champion,
recommend,
advise,
counsel,
advocate,
exhort
in the sense of propound
Definition
to put forward for consideration
She continues to propound her theories about the supernatural.