proselytize
Seek religious converts
To proselytize is to try to convert someone to your religion, political cause, or point of view.
The word carries a pushy connotation—proselytizing suggests aggressive recruitment rather than gentle persuasion: Missionaries proselytized among the indigenous population.
Extended to any zealous advocacy: He proselytizes for veganism at every dinner party.
Spread religious doctrine actively
- missionPurpose-driven task
- outreachProactive community assistance
- apostleMessenger for a cause
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
evangelist · crusade · revival · witness · testify · spread the word · door-to-door · tract
Deliver religious discourse
- sermonClergy's worship address
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- churchPlace of Christian worship
congregation · parish · flock · faithful · believer · testimony · altar call · prayer
Change in form or faith
- baptizeAdmit through sacred rite
- catechumenUnbaptized person learning Christianity
- initiateTo set in motion
- rebornSpiritually or literally revived
acceptance · indoctrinate · reeducate · assimilate · born-again · neophyte · confirmand · apostate
Cause to believe
- swayRock back and forth
- influencePower to affect others
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
argue · debate · appeal · exhort · urge · entreat · importune · press
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- creedStatement of belief
- theologyStudy of the divine
- tenetHeld principle or doctrine
- belief systemCoherent set of convictions
orthodoxy · teachings · gospel · truth · faith · catechism · precept · scripture
Intense emotional intensity
- enthusiasmIntense eager enjoyment
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- passionIntense emotional drive
- zealotObsessive cause supporter
fanaticism · intensity · vehemence · fire · earnestness · dedication · commitment · relentless
evangelize
Spread religious doctrine actively
disciple · evangelist · crusade · revival · witness · testify · spread the word · door-to-door · tract · pamphlet
preach
Deliver religious discourse
- sermonClergy's worship address
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
church · congregation · parish · flock · faithful · believer · testimony · altar call · prayer · worship
convert
Change in form or faith
- baptizeAdmit through sacred rite
- catechumenUnbaptized person learning Christianity
- initiateTo set in motion
reborn · acceptance · indoctrinate · reeducate · assimilate · born-again · neophyte · confirmand · apostate · lapsed
convince
Cause to believe
eloquence · argue · debate · appeal · exhort · urge · entreat · importune · press · win over
dogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
belief system · orthodoxy · teachings · gospel · truth · faith · catechism · precept · scripture · canon
fervor
Intense emotional intensity
- enthusiasmIntense eager enjoyment
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- passionIntense emotional drive
zealot · fanaticism · intensity · vehemence · fire · earnestness · dedication · commitment · relentless · tireless
- worship verbspray, bless, anoint, baptize, consecrate
- Christianesealtar call, backslider, blessed, born again, churched
- CrusadesFirst Crusade, crusade, crusader, Third Crusade, Knights Templar
- religious conflictreligious war, holy war, sectarianism, Great Schism, crusade
- sectarianismsectarianism, sectarian, sect, schism, schismatic
proselytizesecularize
Remove from religious control
deconvert · deprogram · disillusion · apostatize · lead astray
proselytizeinternalize
Adopt beliefs as one's own
keep to oneself · remain silent · keep mum · hold one's tongue · withhold
proselytizer, proselytism, proselytizing, proselytizers, proselytized, proselyting, proselytization, proselytizes, proselytising