proselytize
verb

- to recruit someone to join one’s party, institution, or cause

- convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another

Merriam-Webster / Oxford Languages

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WORD ORIGIN

“Proselytize” comes from the noun "proselyte", meaning “a new convert”, which in turn ultimately comes from the Greek prosēlytos, meaning “stranger” or “newcomer”.

When proselytize entered English in the 17th century, it had a distinctly religious connotation and meant simply “to recruit religious converts”. This meaning is still common, but today one can also proselytize in a broader sense — recruiting converts to one’s political party or pet cause, for example.

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A MAN ON A MISSION

Dr. David Livingstone, became famous for his exploration (and proselytization) of Africa. Among his provisions when he started his famous trek across Africa were 73 books in three cases, weighing a total of 180 pounds. After the party had trekked 300 miles, Livingstone agreed to discard some of his precious library because of his porters’ growing fatigue. As the journey continued, his library grew progressively smaller, until he had only one book left, his Bible.

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SYNONYMS

- to convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another:

act as a missionary, advocate, alter conviction, argue into, bend one’s ear, brainwash, bring into the fold, bring round (to), cajole, cause a change of heart, cause someone to change their beliefs (mind), convert (to), crusade, evangelize (to), exhort, inveigle, lead to believe, lure, make converts (among/of), make someone change their beliefs (mind), make someone see the light, preach (to), press (pressure, pressurise) someone into, prevail on (upon), propagandise, PROSELYTIZE, seek converts, sermonize, spread the faith (the gospel, the word), sway (over), win over

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“When writing, I wouldn’t PROSELYTIZE for either US or UK spelling, it largely depends on who will read the text.”

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