Proselytize
- To attempt to convert someone to a particular religion, ideology, or belief.
Example
The missionaries traveled to remote villages to proselytize the local population, sharing their faith and values.
Synonyms
- Similar: Convert, Evangelize, Indoctrinate, Missionize, Preach
Etymology
- The word “proselytize” comes from the Greek word “prosēlytos,” meaning “one who has come over,” and the verb “proserchomai,” meaning “to come over.” The term has been used in English since the 16th century to describe the act of converting someone to a particular faith or ideology.
Denotations
- Proselytizing can have a negative connotation, implying a sense of coercion or manipulation, especially when it involves aggressive or deceptive tactics.