catechize

[ kat-i-kahyz ]

See synonyms for: catechize catechizing catechization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),cat·e·chized, cat·e·chiz·ing.

to instruct orally by means of questions and answers, especially in Christian doctrine.
to question with reference to belief.

to question closely.

Origin of catechize

1375–1425; late Middle English <Late Latin catēchizāre<Greek katēchízein to make (someone) learn by teaching orally, equivalent to katēch(eîn) to teach orally (see catechist) + -izein-ize

Also especially British, cat·e·chise .

Other words for catechize

3	interrogate, quiz, examine, probe

See synonyms for catechize on Thesaurus.com

Other words from catechize

cat·e·chiz·a·ble, adjective
cat·e·chi·za·tion, noun
cat·e·chiz·er, noun
un·cat·e·chized, adjective

Words Nearby catechize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use catechize in a sentence

If Ministers are bound to catechize; then people are bound to be catechized.
A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry | Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly
In a moment the car was again in motion, but the driver, a man of fifty or thereabouts, found time to catechize his guest.
The Bail Jumper | Robert J. C. Stead
Fletcher, however, still found means to catechize the children and to hold meetings in private.
Fletcher of Madeley | Frederic W. Macdonald
I do not mean to allow him to catechize me unless he pays back for it in kind.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Three | Abraham Lincoln
It was not a moment for me to catechize him, though I could see that he was utterly deluded.
The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete | George Meredith

British Dictionary definitions for catechize

catechize

catechise

/ (ˈkætɪˌkaɪz) /

verb(tr)

to teach or examine by means of questions and answers
to give oral instruction in Christianity, esp by using a catechism

to put questions to (someone)

Origin of catechize

C15: from Late Latin catēchizāre, from Greek katēkhizein, from katēkhein to instruct orally, literally: to shout down, from kata- down + ēkhein to sound

Derived forms of catechize

catechist, catechizer or catechiser, noun
catechistic or catechistical, adjective
catechistically, adverb
catechization or catechisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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