convert 1 of 2

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

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
The desalination process allows Middle Eastern countries to convert the abundant saltwater near them into drinkable freshwater by removing salt and minerals from the liquid. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026 Whitemyer wrote in an email that the city will soon convert to an electric fleet to comply with state emissions requirements. Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Doncic is the most recent convert. Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 The actor and comedian, who was married to Katy Perry, has reinvented himself as a Christian convert who evangelizes about free speech and free thinking in MAGA America. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convert
Verb
  • Across a wide range of practice areas, from corporate law and litigation to emerging fields influenced by technology and global policy, today’s most influential lawyers are distinguished by their vision, dedication, and ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Violet tones, influenced by interest in space and futuristic aesthetics, and orange hues inspired by natural landscapes and photography trends are both gaining attention, according to the report.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rooster's Coop has transformed into a museum of hockey history.
    John Lauritsen, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • However, contrary to popular belief—which may well have arisen from Germany’s desire to distance itself from its Nazi past after the Second World War—carnival ultimately helped the Nazi party transform society in its own image.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Whale lusts after a hunky gardener (Brendan Fraser) and persuades him to pose for a few sketches; Julian, though bisexual, expresses no such interest in Lori, and any art-making turns out to be a gratifyingly mutual endeavor.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense.
    April 2, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Police said that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • How Jewish villas in the posh Grunewald area were bought up or seized by Nazi bigshots, but now belong to Russian oligarchs.
    John Powers, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Gluting is ranked as the second best left-hander in Illinois in the 2027 class by Prep Baseball Report behind Benet’s Quinn Rooney, who’s a Notre Dame recruit.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • While Staley's talks with recruits once centered on earning degrees, they're mostly focused now on money, especially with players in the transfer portal.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Leftism thus constitutes an ongoing search for new causes to fight on behalf of, in a way that mobilizes adherents and creates solidarity among them.
    Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Both romantic trends have adherents who spin their retreat from status quo romance as a kind of liberation from modern expectations, and who position their marital arrangement as the logical extension of a deeper political project.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The two firms that have proselytized the recapitalization of enterprise software the most in this field are Thoma Bravo, with about $184 billion in assets, and Vista Equity Partners, with about $100 billion.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Now in its 40th year, the foundation was established in honor of the eponymous chef who began his own culinary school, authored numerous cookbooks and proselytized cooking with whole foods.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Diana’s makeup artist convinced her to ditch blue liner in the ‘90s.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Operation Ajax, a joint CIA-British operation, convinced the Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch, to dismiss Mossadegh and drive him from office by force.
    Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convert. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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