galvanize

verb

gal·va·nize | \ ˈgal-və-ˌnīz

galvanized; galvanizing

Definition of galvanize

1a : to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically galvanize a muscle

b : to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock an issue that would galvanize public opinion

2 : to coat (iron or steel) with zinc especially : to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of zinc-iron alloy

intransitive verb

: to react as if stimulated by an electric shock they galvanized into action

Other Words from galvanize Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about galvanize

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Other Words from galvanize

galvanization \ ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən

\ noun

galvanizer \ ˈgal-və-ˌnī-zər

\ noun

Examples of galvanize in a Sentence

The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law. The Web site has galvanized support for the project. a factory where steel is galvanized

Recent Examples on the Web Some proponents of stricter gun control argue that this should only further galvanize calls for action from Washington. — BostonGlobe.com, "White House faces pressure to act after string of mass shootings," 17 Apr. 2021 Now Jewish organizers in the United States are hoping to galvanize American Jews in the same way through a major Jewish advocacy campaign on a par with the Save Darfur campaign of the 2000s. — Ron Kampeas, sun-sentinel.com, "The next major Jewish action is on behalf of China’s Uighurs," 6 Apr. 2021 Sachs points to the 1930s, when the auto industry, then a symbol of the new economy, unionized and helped galvanize workers. — Joseph Pisani, Star Tribune, "Amazon warehouse workers reject union bid in Alabama," 9 Apr. 2021 Sachs points to the 1930s, when the auto industry, then a symbol of the new economy, unionized and helped galvanize workers. — Joseph Pisani, Anchorage Daily News, "Amazon appears to have plenty of votes to block union effort at giant Alabama warehouse," 9 Apr. 2021 Teams competing in March Madness have a huge platform from which to build on the actions of the U.S. government and galvanize the American people to demand accountability from corporations that do business in China. — Nury Turkel, National Review, "NCAA Basketball Teams Should Take a Stand against Uyghur Genocide," 30 Mar. 2021 President Joe Biden invited Friday to a virtual summit event the United States is hosting next month designed to galvanize support among top greenhouse gas-emitting countries for addressing climate change. — Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Biden invites Xi and Putin to climate summit next month," 26 Mar. 2021 Pelosi agreed that stopping a Republican from getting into office isn’t enough to galvanize voters, adding that grassroots organizers want to hear from the governor directly about what his message will be. — Los Angeles Times, "As Newsom recall hits milestone, Democrats scramble for united front to keep governor in office," 17 Mar. 2021 Protests in the street helped to galvanize financial reform after 2008. — New York Times, "The Financial Crisis the World Forgot," 16 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'galvanize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.