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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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convert

2 of 2

noun

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
Last week, in a three-level car rental parking garage meticulously converted into an event space in downtown San Francisco, Anthropic put on its second annual Code with Claude developer conference. ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 In this episode, Zoe shares what’s new in the Gorge, like a historic highway that’s being converted into a hiking and biking trail and new hotel openings like the latest glamping outpost from Under Canvas. AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Noun
National headlines report churches seeing an uptick in converts and attendance and trends on social media, especially among younger men. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 The compact vacuum converts into a handheld device for daily messes and spills above the floor. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert
Verb
  • The juror said the comments influenced her to find Murdaugh guilty.
    Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • The hours-long proceeding focuses on whether jurors might have been wrongly influenced by Hill — and how Toal evaluated that question in 2024.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Wastewater is also reused for irrigation, and the hotel has also started recycling vegetable oils with an organization that transforms the waste into biodiesel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Technology, desire and collapse Across the Giardini, Maja Malou Lyse’s DIS, Things to Come (2026) transforms the Danish Pavilion into an immersive environment where digital imagery and physical presence collapse into one another.
    Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Influencers have become a routine part of persuading voters in local, state and national races as legacy media’s reach has waned, though there are few laws on the books regulating them.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
  • Neither leader elaborated on what persuaded them about the possibility of peace in Europe’s longest conflict since World War II.
    Hanna Arhirova, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • Bianco obtained three search warrants and began seizing ballots in February, despite being ordered by Attorney General Rob Bonta to pause the investigation.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • In a Vanity Fair interview, Kiffin tried explaining why LSU is easier to recruit to than Ole Miss, essentially saying some Black recruits and their families didn’t want to play in Oxford because of the school’s racial history.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
  • As the top driver at his regional French shipping company, Étienne always delivers on schedule and serves as a role model for new recruits, including the unruly if endearing Jordan (Armindo Alves de Sa), who’s only starting to learn the ropes.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.
    Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • Scientology is a religious group shrouded in privacy that has garnered attention for its celebrity adherents, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The National Federation of Federal Employees and several individual USDA employees sued the department on May 13, alleging that Secretary Brooke Rollins has illegally proselytized workers.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • Opponents have argued that hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students and amounts to religious indoctrination by the government.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Proctor, who had worked at the VA years earlier, tried to convince her husband to seek help as the bills piled up.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • Doug is convinced the compliments were the perfect medicine.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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