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

That fact is a primary reason why their numbers keep declining despite decades of aggressive proselytizing.

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His health proselytizing was both public and private.

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“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.

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

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These chaplains are not prohibited from proselytizing to students.

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