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

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

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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
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
  • Travel warnings influence not only individual plans but also insurance coverage and organizational policies.
    — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • The intersection where Floyd took his last breaths was transformed from a gas station and corner store into a living memorial.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Tech companies and payment services are also betting that AI will transform how people shop.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Definition of transform
Verb
  • For fifteen years, the Patriotic Millionaires have waged an earnest battle to persuade wealthy people to lobby for higher taxes on themselves.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • The filmmakers told me that Spiegelman’s free-speech run-in with the county school board was instrumental in persuading WNET to back Disaster Is My Muse.
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • But is Simone now the villain – or simply someone with a tough upbringing who seized an opportunity to secure her future?
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Israel imposed a blockade on all supplies entering Gaza in March, saying Hamas was seizing supplies meant for civilians - a charge the group denies.
    — Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Definition of seize
Noun
  • That may still be true, but Forefront was most certainly at the forefront of FBI's finale, nearly pulling off a coup that would've put it (and the group's recruits inside the Bureau) at the head of the agency.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
  • Organizations are forced to compete for top-tier recruits, and a lengthy search for the right person means key positions end up sitting vacant.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • Its adherents numbered in the tens of thousands in 2018 and surged to millions by 2020.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • She was born in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, and left Russia with many other adherents of Hasidism on the famous escape trains to Poland.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of adherent
Verb
  • 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
  • And Justice Elena Kagan pointed out that some religions proselytize and some don’t.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 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
  • Seth Rollins convinced Finn Balor to work with him against Sami Zayn.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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