Proselytizingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Characterized by the action of attempting to convert someone from one belief or faith to another in a zealous manner
2. Referred to an approach that seeks to persuade individuals to adopt new religious or ideological perspectives with fervor
3. Describing a manner that actively promotes conversion or adherence to specific beliefs with enthusiastic efforts

Etymology: "Proselytizingly" is "proselytizing" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly", so its history runs through the verb. That verb comes from "proselyte," which entered English in the 1300s from Old French "proselite," itself from Late Latin "proselytus," borrowed from Greek "prosēlytos," meaning a newcomer or stranger who had settled among a people. In the Greek Bible, the word described a non-Jew who had converted to Judaism, and that religious sense is what English inherited. The verb "proselytize" appeared in English around the 1600s, and by then the idea of actively pursuing converts was firmly attached to it. The form ending in "-izing" and then "-ingly" adds the sense of doing this in a manner that is eager or persistent. The word's core meaning therefore stays close to its Greek roots: someone who has arrived in a new community and is now drawn into its faith.

Synonyms: evangelistically, missionarily, preachily, zealously, persuasively

Antonyms: indifferently, apathetically, uninterestedly, dispassionately, disbelievingly