proselyte 1 of 2

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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Examples 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
The authors observe that Yemeni Jews share elevated IBD with other Jewish populations, suggesting more than an indigenous proselyte origin for this community. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2012 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 The law of gezel hager (stealing from a proselyte) reminds us that the Torah was given to all Jews – including converts. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 17 May 2021 In order to understand this idea, the special relationship between God and the proselyte must be examined. 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 Christian Angermayer is an unlikely proselyte of psychedelia: The German financier didn’t drink so much as a sip of beer for the first three decades of his life. Meghana Keshavan, Scientific American, 9 July 2019 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proselyte
Noun
  • Ibrahimovic’s silence and recent lack of media activity is conspicuous considering his role in unveiling Fonseca as well as several recruits back in the summer.
    James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Repeatedly asking direct and sensitive questions will likely make a person guarded or suspicious—hindering the spy’s ability to cultivate a relationship with a potential recruit.
    Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Broncos converted only two of their nine third-down conversions that followed the 3-of-3 start.
    Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Two helipads with one converted into a basketball court, and a dedicated spa area with a beauty salon and gym.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Hollywood newcomers like Apple and Amazon started to release more movies in theaters as a way to bring attention to their streaming services.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Keanu Reeves joins the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog, while other series newcomers include Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter.
    Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Mao and his colleagues channeled local religious practice to proselytize among the peasantry.
    Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017
  • In addition, the charity avowedly does not proselytize.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Proselyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselyte. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

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