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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Photo : Will Myers A small fitness room with an attached bath could easily be converted into a staff or guest suite. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2025 Men, converting to worshipping a little white ball, plan their golf tournaments with each other, and find an enemy who must be humbled. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Some allies and supporters of the president view Musk as an interloper and a recent convert who does not share the same views as the MAGA movement on certain issues, as evidenced by a recent spat over H-1B visas. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Jan. 2025 During that visit, Coulter and her husband became converts. —Collin Blinder, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 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
  • Yet the case stands to influence legal challenges to the Liberation Day tariffs, too, because the President relied on the same mechanism for both the earlier and more recent tariff announcements, declaring a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, of 1977.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Not so long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, Alfonso Cuarón was unintentionally influencing the future of the Star Wars franchise.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of influence
Verb
  • Making meaningful connections outside the bounds of your phone can help ground you to reality, and having healthy, in-person relationships with women is key to transforming your mindset away from frustration and blame to ownership and confidence.
    — Sam Woodward, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Its new owner’s restoration and expansion project began in 2020, maintaining the character and materials of the original building while transforming attic space into a primary suite and opening the original attic staircase to the main floor.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of transform
Verb
  • Part of persuading consumers to spend on sustainable products comes from carefully planned and executed advertising and marketing campaigns.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2025
  • But the taxpayer still persuaded the Tax Court.
    — Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This shift could unlock massive opportunities for entrepreneurs who are bold enough to act, smart enough to wait for clarity, and strategic enough to seize the moment.
    — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of seize
Noun
  • The former four-star recruit imposes his will in the run game and doesn’t take kindly to defenders who try to bull-rush his pocket.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lexie Arthur, 2026, SS Arthur, an uncommitted recruit, is hitting .426 with 26 hits and 29 runs through April 7.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • He was often ridiculed by contemporaries, including renowned adherents of the Nation of Islam such as Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, as being too actively focused on integration and too passively focused on Black empowerment, critiques of the Black political establishment that persist today.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Though the government's counter-offensive was able to largely contain the insurgency, footage surfaced of what appeared to be retaliatory attacks targeting the broader minority Alawite community, an offshoot of Shia Islam whose adherents live mainly in the western coastal region.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of adherent
Verb
  • Scherzer has been proselytizing his argument for several years, as M.L.B. has continued to study the issue with what appears to be more intellectual curiosity than urgency.
    — Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • But her proselytizing about contraception and her work with prostitutes made even her friends uncomfortable.
    — Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of proselytize
Verb
  • His play in Wilkes-Barre has only convinced them more that, at worst, Koivunen has a real opportunity to become a good middle-six winger at the NHL level.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • While the software does issue a disclaimer before spitting out its design, seemingly to avoid trademark issues, some fair-use hawks are not convinced.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of convince

Browse Nearby Words

conversions
convert
converted
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Cite this Entry

“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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