proselytizing

[pros-uh-luh-tahy-zing]

noun

1. the act or process of converting or attempting to convert someone to a religion or other belief system.

   The regulations governing the religious practice of foreigners include a ban on proselytizing.

adjective

1. intending or attempting to convert others to a religion or other belief system.

   We are not a proselytizing religion, and we don’t believe that our faith is the One True Way for everyone.

   The book uses an enthusiastic, almost proselytizing tone to promote the idea that anyone can be an inventor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of proselytizing¹

First recorded in 1780–90; proselytiz(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; proselytiz(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

His health proselytizing was both public and private.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t go out proselytizing, but I am not going to deny my faith; I’m not going to deny Jesus Christ,” Grammer says.

From Los Angeles Times

When I opened my first show, if the collages seemed overtly political or proselytizing in some way, I would remove them.

From Los Angeles Times

These chaplains are not prohibited from proselytizing to students.

From Salon

I was born into a family that didn’t discuss politics at all, only religion, and only in the context of our own denominations of Christianity and proselytizing.

From Salon