evangelize

verb

evan·​ge·​lize i-ˈvan-jə-ˌlīz How to pronounce evangelize (audio)
evangelized; evangelizing
Synonyms of evangelizenext

transitive verb

1
: to preach the gospel to
2
: to convert to Christianity

intransitive verb

: to preach the gospel
evangelization
i-ˌvan-jə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce evangelize (audio)
noun
evangelizer noun

Examples of evangelize in a Sentence

The missionaries set out to evangelize the world. They were evangelizing about the importance of saving energy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the pope’s job is to evangelize the gospel and be a leader of the church, not to be a political figure. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 May 2026 Christian audiences, both sizable and primed to evangelize to others, are in some ways an ideal market. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 May 2026 The vast majority of the staff, from servers and sommeliers to porters and guides, hail from the surrounding area and evangelize for the Eastern Tennessee way of life. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026 Catholics began to resurface around 1837 with another wave of European migrants who evangelized in the streets and in the name of the poor and immigrants. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for evangelize

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of evangelize was in the 14th century

Rhymes for evangelize

See All Rhymes for evangelize

Browse Nearby Words

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evangelize
evangelizer
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Cite this Entry

“Evangelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evangelize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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