baptize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "baptize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to religious ceremonies, particularly in Christianity, where it refers to the act of performing baptism. Example: "The pastor will baptize the new members of the congregation during the Sunday service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, he has John protest against the baptism and claim that Jesus should instead baptize him (Matthew 3 13 17; this objection is not in Mark or Luke).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other controversial suggestions include the restoration of the permanent diaconate (with the powers to baptize, preach, and administer the Eucharist), to which both married and single men are admitted, and the idea of ordination for a fixed period of service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration and initiation into the church that was begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from John the Baptist and also ordered the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28 19).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The forms and rituals of the various Christian churches vary, but baptism almost invariably involves the use of water and the Trinitarian invocation, "I baptize you: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

Encyclopedia Britannica

After spending 10 years in the Aleutians, he moved on to Novo Arkhangelsk (now Sitka) on Baronov Island and, in 1836, began to baptize the Kolosh Indians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only the skins of sacrificial animals may be used for membranes among Afro-Bahians in Brazil, who baptize their new drums, preferably with "holy" water obtained from a Roman Catholic church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Smyth published his views in The Character of the Beast (1609) and in the same year proceeded to baptize first himself and then 36 others, who joined him in forming a Baptist church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Practically all groups practice believer's Baptism, although some Exclusive Brethren, following Darby's practice, baptize children of members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The family traveled to St . Louisin 1809 to baptize their son and left him in the care of Clark, who had earlier offered to provide him with an education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Dutch East India Company trained ministers in Leiden to serve their employees in Indonesia and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), but they were also encouraged to catechize and baptize local people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nell to baptize me after" — but she is Nell for all other official and interpersonal purposes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "baptize" when referring to the specific religious sacrament; for more general dedication or naming ceremonies, consider alternatives like "christen" or "dedicate".

Common error

Avoid using "baptize" metaphorically for secular acts of purification or cleansing when a more appropriate term like "cleanse", "purify", or "anoint" would be more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "baptize" is as a verb, describing the action of performing the religious rite of baptism. Ludwig AI confirms its usage aligns with standard grammatical rules, as seen in various examples of performing the sacrament.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "baptize" is a verb primarily used to describe the religious sacrament of baptism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "perform baptism" and "administer baptism". When using "baptize", ensure accurate representation of religious practices and avoid metaphorical uses that dilute its meaning. Steer clear of thinking that "christen" and "baptize" are synonyms. Top sources include The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform baptism

Focuses on the action of carrying out the ritual of baptism.

administer baptism

Highlights the act of formally giving or providing the sacrament of baptism.

christen with water

Emphasizes the use of water in the christening ceremony.

initiate into the church

Focuses on the act of inducting someone into the Christian community.

dedicate through baptism

Highlights the dedication aspect of baptism.

immerse in holy water

Specific to baptism by immersion, emphasizing the sacred nature of the water.

sprinkle with holy water

Specific to baptism by sprinkling, highlighting the sacred nature of the water.

purify through baptism

Emphasizes the cleansing or purification aspect of baptism.

ordain by water

Implies a form of ordination using water, connecting to a broader sense of religious dedication.

consecrate in a religious rite

Broadens the context to any religious rite of consecration, of which baptism is one.

FAQs

How is "baptize" typically used in a sentence?

"Baptize" is used to describe the act of performing a baptism, often with water, as a religious sacrament. For example, "The priest will "baptize" the infants during the service".

What are some synonyms for "baptize" that I could use?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "christen", "immerse", or "dedicate". Each word carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your meaning. If you mean to purify you can also use: "purify".

Is it correct to use "baptize" in a metaphorical sense?

While primarily a religious term, "baptize" can be used metaphorically to mean to immerse or dedicate. However, ensure the context is appropriate and the meaning is clear. Consider alternatives if the religious connotation is unwanted.

What's the difference between "baptize" and "christen"?

"Baptize" refers specifically to the religious sacrament of baptism, typically involving water. "Christen" is often used more broadly to mean to give a name or dedicate, though it can also refer to baptism, particularly in some Christian traditions.