Pros·e·ly·tize

Pros·e·ly·tize verb \ˈprä-s(ə-)lə-ˌtīz\

pros·e·ly·tizedpros·e·ly·tiz·ing

Definition of PROSELYTIZE

intransitive verb

1

: to induce someone to convert to one's faith

2

: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

transitive verb

: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause

— pros·e·ly·ti·za·tion  noun

— pros·e·ly·tiz·er  noun

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Examples of PROSELYTIZE

He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports.

<the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive>

They are a sport-shirted, discomforted lot, pacing, puffing feverishly on cigarettes, perspiring freely and proselytizing furiously. —Nicholas Dawidoff, Sports Illustrated, 19 Aug. 1991

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Origin of PROSELYTIZE

(see 1proselyte)

First Known Use: 1679

Related to PROSELYTIZE

Synonyms: proselyte, convert

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Rhymes with PROSELYTIZE

accessorize, acclimatize, actualize, aerobicize, aestheticize, Africanize, allegorize, alphabetize, analogize, anatomize, anesthetize, ani...

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