proselytize

IPA/ˈprɒsələtaɪz/
KK[prˈɑsələtˌaɪz]IPA/ˈprɑːsələtaɪz/

proselytize — verb

  • proselytizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • proselytizeshe / she / it
  • proselytizedpast simple
  • proselytizing-ing form

1. to attempt to convince someone to give up their own religion and accept your fai

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to attempt to convince someone to give up their own religion and accept your faith instead

Example

Piotr tried to proselytize his classmates, but they had no interest in changing their religion.

transitive: proselytize + person

A new city law bans anyone from proselytizing inside public hospitals and schools.

passive: banned from proselytizing in [place]

Common collocations
  • proselytize to + person/group
  • proselytize among + community
  • aggressively proselytize
Synonyms
  • convert

    broader; can describe changing one's own beliefs, not just persuading others

  • evangelize

    specifically religious, often with a more neutral or positive tone of sharing faith

Grammar Patterns

proselytize + object (person being converted)

proselytize to + person/group

Usage Note

Often carries a critical tone — it suggests the person is being too eager or disrespectful by trying to change someone else's religious beliefs. Frequently used in legal or policy contexts about where and how religious persuasion is allowed.

Common Mistakes

He proselytized to Christianity last year.
He converted to Christianity last year.
'proselytize' describes persuading someone else to change, not changing your own beliefs.

2. to work hard at convincing others to adopt your political views, personal values

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to work hard at convincing others to adopt your political views, personal values, or lifestyle in place of theirs

Example

The senator tried to proselytize the crowd into supporting her new education plan.

transitive: proselytize + object into [action]

Lukas proselytizes for a plant-based diet by giving free talks at local libraries.

intransitive: proselytize for + cause

Common collocations
  • proselytize for + cause
  • proselytize + beliefs/views/agenda
  • openly proselytize
Synonyms
  • advocate

    neutral and positive; to publicly support a cause without the pushy connotation

  • campaign

    organized, public effort to promote something, often political

  • indoctrinate

    much stronger; implies forcing beliefs on someone without critical thinking

Grammar Patterns

proselytize for + cause/belief

proselytize + about + topic

Usage Note

Commonly used to criticize someone for pushing ideas too forcefully, especially in professional or educational settings where such persuasion is not appropriate.

Common Mistakes

She proselytizes about healthy eating by bringing a salad to work each day.
She proselytizes about healthy eating by giving unsolicited advice to colleagues.
The word implies active, often unwelcome persuasion, not just personal example.

Word family

  • proselytism
    nounC2
  • proselytizer
    nounC2
  • proselyte
    nounC2
  • proselytizing
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These three words all describe influencing someone's beliefs, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Convert' is the broadest — it can refer to changing your own beliefs ('He converted to Buddhism') or persuading someone else ('They converted the villagers'), and it works for religion, politics, or lifestyle. 'Evangelize' is primarily religious (especially Christian) and carries a more positive or neutral tone of sharing faith. 'Indoctrinate' is much stronger and always negative, implying the systematic forcing of beliefs on someone without allowing questions. 'Proselytize' falls between the two — it describes active persuasion to adopt a new faith or ideology, but with a critical tone suggesting the attempt may be unwelcome or too pushy.

convert ↗evangelize ↗indoctrinate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • try to proselytize
  • attempt to proselytize
  • be accused of proselytizing

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

From Late Latin 'proselytus' (a stranger who has come to a new place, a convert), from Greek 'προσήλυτος' (prosēlytos, 'stranger, newcomer'), from 'πρός' (pros, 'toward') plus the root of 'ἐλύειν' (elyein, 'to come, go'). The meaning shifted from 'foreigner' to 'someone who has converted to a religion.' The verb form entered English in the late 16th century.

First known use

1679

1679, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1