proselyte 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-sə-ˌlīt How to pronounce proselyte (audio)
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
  1. recruit
  2. convert
  3. newcomer
  4. proselytize
Noun
  • The Roos were early with their offer but were quickly surpassed as Crooks became one of the top recruits in the country.
    — PJ Green October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That came a day after a strike on a government military camp killed 73 recruits and wounded more than 200.
    — Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of recruit
Verb
  • The challenge is converting it into affordable products at scale, something China has become remarkably effective at doing.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Bloom, which makes fuel cells that can convert everything from fossil fuels to hydrogen into electricity, also raised its full-year revenue outlook.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of convert
Noun
  • From inexpensive, simple (but brilliant) redesigns to the smartest new smart appliances, these are the newcomers that wowed us.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Political newcomer and Democrat Coumba Kebe is challenging incumbent Republican Treasurer Daniel Elliott for the state’s chief investment office that manages around $16 billion daily.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of newcomer
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
Definition of proselytize

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Cite this Entry

“Proselyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselyte. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on proselyte

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proselyte

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