evangelize

IPA/ɪˈvændʒəlaɪz/
KK[ɪvˈændʒəlˌaɪz]IPA/ɪˈvændʒəlaɪz/

evangelize — verb

  • evangelizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • evangelizeshe / she / it
  • evangelizedpast simple
  • evangelizing-ing form

1. to speak with strong enthusiasm about an idea, product, or plan so that other pe

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to speak with strong enthusiasm about an idea, product, or plan so that other people start to support it

Example

Stefan kept evangelizing the new bike path at every town meeting.

evangelize + plan in public debate

At lunch, Rania evangelized for reusable cups around the office.

Common collocations
  • evangelize a product
  • evangelize a plan
  • evangelize a cause
  • evangelize for reform
  • evangelize about clean energy
Synonyms
  • promote

    the broad everyday verb; 'evangelize' sounds more intense and mission-driven

  • advocate

    calmer and more policy-focused than the energetic push of 'evangelize'

  • champion

    stresses loyal long-term support, often when something needs defending

Antonyms
  • criticize

    points out faults instead of trying to win support

  • dismiss

    treats the idea as unworthy rather than urging others to adopt it

Grammar Patterns

evangelize an idea, product, or plan

evangelize about something

evangelize for a cause

Usage Note

Often used for causes, products, or methods that the speaker wants other people to adopt. In business and technology writing, it suggests repeated, energetic promotion rather than a quiet private opinion.

Common Mistakes

She evangelized that the plan was good.
She evangelized for the plan at the meeting.
this sense usually takes the idea or cause itself, or a phrase with about/for, not a bare that-clause.

2. to tell people about the Christian faith in the hope that they will accept it an

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to tell people about the Christian faith in the hope that they will accept it and become Christians

Example

Anong traveled by boat to small islands to evangelize fishing families.

religious sense: evangelize + people

For years, the pastor went door to door evangelizing in the mining town.

collocation: door to door evangelizing

Common collocations
  • evangelize a village
  • evangelize new believers
  • evangelize in rural areas
  • evangelize through music
Synonyms
  • preach

    broader verb for giving a religious message; it does not always imply conversion

  • proselytize

    stresses trying to convert people from one belief to another

  • missionize

    older and less common; often used of missionary activity

Grammar Patterns

evangelize people

evangelize to a group

evangelize in a community

Usage Note

This sense belongs to Christian religious contexts. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about bringing people into the faith, not simply praising an idea or product.

Common Mistakes

The priest evangelized about the charity sale after Mass.
The priest preached about the charity sale after Mass.
'evangelize' in this sense is about spreading the Christian faith, not any church announcement.

Word family

  • evangelist
    nounC1
  • evangelism
    nounC2
  • evangelization
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Promote' is the broad everyday verb for helping something become more popular. 'Advocate' is calmer and usually tied to a policy or principle you argue for in public. 'Champion' adds committed, often long-term support, especially when the cause needs defending. 'Preach' can sound moralizing and often suggests talking at people. 'Evangelize' is stronger than all of them: it implies energetic, repeated efforts to win believers, almost as if the idea were a cause or a faith. A manager can promote a new tool, an activist can advocate better bus service, and a teacher can champion arts funding. When someone keeps touring meetings and conferences trying to convert everyone to one approach, 'evangelize' fits best.

evangelize ↗promote ↗advocate ↗champion ↗preach ↗

Etymology

GreekLate LatinEnglish

The word came into English through church Latin forms based on a Greek verb meaning 'bring good news'. Because the 'good news' in Christian use was the gospel, the verb first meant spreading the Christian message. The later business and ideas sense grew by metaphor: someone talks about a product or cause with the same zeal shown by a religious messenger.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1