catechize

[ kat-i-kahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, cat·e·chized, cat·e·chiz·ing.

1. to instruct orally by means of questions and answers, especially in Christian doctrine.
2. to question with reference to belief.
3. to question closely.

   Synonyms: probe, examine, quiz, interrogate

catechize

/ ˈkætɪˌkaɪz /

verb

1. to teach or examine by means of questions and answers
2. to give oral instruction in Christianity, esp by using a catechism
3. to put questions to (someone)

Derived Forms

• ˌcateˈchistic, adjective
• ˈcatechist, noun
• ˌcateˈchistically, adverb
• ˌcatechiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• cate·chiza·ble adjective
• cate·chi·zation noun
• cate·chizer noun
• un·cate·chized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechize¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin catēchizāre < Greek katēchízein to make (someone) learn by teaching orally, equivalent to katēch ( eîn ) to teach orally ( catechist ) + -izein -ize

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechize¹

C15: from Late Latin catēchizāre, from Greek katēkhizein, from katēkhein to instruct orally, literally: to shout down, from kata- down + ēkhein to sound

Example Sentences

“We have to catechize our people to understand that the resurrection is the center of a Christian worldview,” he said.

From Washington Times

When people have not been catechized into a particular theology of political engagement, there’s a real opportunity for teaching in the principles of the faith in this arena of life.

From Washington Post

Ignoring this threat, Pan — a sybaritic aesthete by his very nature — gently catechizes about hedonism like some goat-footed Oscar Wilde.

From Washington Post

While they ate, they catechized her on her opinions, and were delighted to find that she believed in God and expected to vote Conservative when she was twenty-one.

From The New Yorker

Fletcher, however, still found means to catechize the children and to hold meetings in private.

From Project Gutenberg