convert 1 of 2

verb

kən-ˈvərt How to pronounce convert (audio)
Definition of convertnext
1
as in to influence
to persuade to change to one's religious faith young missionaries who go door-to-door trying to convert people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to transform
to change in form, appearance, or use the old factory was converted into an apartment building

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to persuade
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request many who used to insist that global warming was a myth have since been converted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right the bailee converted the goods to his own use

Synonyms & Similar Words

convert

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌvərt How to pronounce convert (audio)
1
as in recruit
a person who has recently been persuaded to join a religious sect the converts were the most vocal and fervent worshippers in the church

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another the British biologist T. H. Huxley was one of the earliest converts to Darwin's theory of evolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word convert different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convert are metamorphose, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, and transmute. While all these words mean "to change a thing into a different thing," convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

When is it sensible to use metamorphose instead of convert?

The meanings of metamorphose and convert largely overlap; however, metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

In what contexts can transfigure take the place of convert?

The words transfigure and convert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

When can transform be used instead of convert?

While the synonyms transform and convert are close in meaning, transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

When could transmogrify be used to replace convert?

The synonyms transmogrify and convert are sometimes interchangeable, but transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

When would transmute be a good substitute for convert?

While in some cases nearly identical to convert, transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of convert
Verb
Toyota's former president spoke out against converting to an all-electric lineup in 2022. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025 Plus, this look easily converted us from anti-knee socks to never wanting to look at an ankle sock again. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
This adapter plugs in via USB but comes with a USB to USB-C convert just in case. —Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2025 Vance, a Catholic convert who tangled with Francis over the Trump administration’s mass migrant deportation plans, and Rubio headed the American delegation. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for convert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert
  1. influence
  2. transform
  3. persuade
  4. seize
  5. recruit
  6. adherent
  7. proselytize
  8. convince
Verb
  • The gravity of Planet Nine, which is speculated to be a super-Earth or modest ice giant, would be influencing the orbits of extreme TNOs — or so the hypothesis goes.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 May 2025
  • How has Curaçao’s musical culture influenced your creative process for this album?
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 30 May 2025
Definition of influence
Verb
  • This creative decision transforms the family dynamic into the series’ emotional core.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 June 2025
  • In the summertime, after the rains, the river swells and the dry landscape transforms green, delighting hungry elephants.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Definition of transform
Verb
  • Jonathan Ernst | Reuters European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen managed to persuade the president to give talks more time but, as things stand, the EU has until July 9 to reach a deal with Washington.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 6 June 2025
  • Be on alert for phishing scams – Fraudsters regularly send emails that appear to be from a reputable source in order to persuade individuals to provide valuable personal information, such as access codes, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, account numbers, etc.
    — Rick Unser, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • Flores, a 70-year-old retired welder, had illegally seized a home five years ago after its owner, the California Department of Transportation, had left it vacant.
    — Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • This harmonious and uplifting transit encourages you to take bold steps toward your desires and seize opportunities that come your way.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of seize
Noun
  • For example, the number of white recruits in fiscal 2024 decreased to 40.5% from the 52.7% who joined in 2020 while the number of Black and Hispanic recruits increased.
    — Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 June 2025
  • Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton is also a starter-level player, and Abdul Bashir, one of the top juco recruits in the country, is another upside swing.
    — CJ Moore, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • Here in the first city, the Catholic Church is at an extended crossroads of its own, calling for its leaders and adherents to engage in strategic planning and soul-searching of their own.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
  • Even conscientious adherents to national security protocols acknowledge that classified U.S. government systems are far from convenient.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
Definition of adherent
Verb
  • The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.
    — Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • However, state officials argue that the Catholic Charities Bureau does not qualify because its services—such as caring for the elderly and disabled—are not overtly religious or tied to proselytizing.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of proselytize
Verb
  • He perhaps was motivated to leave the images online, as toxic Mr. Deepfakes uploaders could earn as much as $1,500 for convincing non-consensual deepfakes of public figures.
    — Ashley Belanger – May 27, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
  • Shara has promised to protect Syria’s minorities, but some members of the Alawite, Druze, and other communities are not convinced.
    — Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
Definition of convince

Browse Nearby Words

conversions
convert
converted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on convert

Nglish: Translation of convert for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All