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 Horned Frogs will need Hayward’s pass rushing expertise to harass Baylor junior quarterback DJ Lagway, a former five-star recruit that transferred in from Florida.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • At, 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Marshall is a four-star recruit with 16 Power Four offers, according to 247Sports.
    — PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That means the Heat will need to choose whether to convert one of its Exhibit 10 contract players to a two-way deal or waive them to transition them to its G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Swiss company Metafuels is working to convert clean electricity into jet fuel, while RIFT and Enerin, based in the Netherlands and Norway respectively, are delivering high-temperature industrial heat from electrons instead of gas.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • While Christen and Jude remained among the hottest brands to check out at showroom appointments, other names pinpointed by buyers included Hagelstam, Nomasei, Neous and the newcomers Ananyan and Kiana Ghavidel.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But velvet ropes and VIP tiers can leave newcomers wondering whether the conversation is meant for them.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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