mobilize

verb

mo·bi·lize | \ ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz

mobilized; mobilizing

Definition of mobilize

transitive verb

1a : to put into movement or circulation mobilize financial assets

b : to release (something stored in the organism) for bodily use The body mobilizes its antibodies.

2a : to assemble and make ready for war duty mobilize all reserve forces for overseas duty

b : to marshal (something, such as resources) for action mobilize support for a proposal

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization The army can mobilize quickly for a major war.

Other Words from mobilize Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about mobilize

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Synonyms & Antonyms for mobilize

Synonyms

marshal (also marshall), muster, rally

Antonyms

demob [chiefly British], demobilize

Examples of mobilize in a Sentence

They couldn't mobilize enough support to pass the new law. Several groups have mobilized to oppose the proposed new law. They have the ability to mobilize quickly. The government had to mobilize the army quickly. More than 10,000 troops were mobilized for war.

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent months, rumors of a feud between Kate and Meghan may have mobilized each royal's fans against the other's. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Have Been Subjected to Horrifying Online Abuse," 28 Jan. 2019 The Bush administration mobilized the Coast Guard to intercept them; about a third expressed a desire to seek asylum, while the Bush administration fought a court case challenging its authority to deport the rest. — Dara Lind, Vox, "William Barr hearing: attorney general nominee’s immigration record aligns with Trump’s," 16 Jan. 2019 The Anger Groups finally mobilized in October after a Change.org petition about fuel taxes went viral within a small Parisian suburb. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Facebook’s role in the French protests has polarized observers," 11 Dec. 2018 But young people in Mexico have also mobilized on an unprecedented scale. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "Your Complete Guide to Mexico's 2018 Elections," 29 June 2018 But now that the men have been found guilty, their lawyers have mobilized around variations of a single plea: Spare the life of Eloyn Ingraham. Spare the life of Bernard Forbes. Spare the life of Andre Delancy. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Defense lawyers seek mercy for three convicted in Broward deputy's murder," 29 June 2018 Both are beloved figures among progressive activists who have mobilized against the Amazon deal and who, political observers say, could challenge the Democratic state senator from the left. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "State Street: Albany Lawmakers Eye Campaign Finance Reform, but Activists Want More," 13 Jan. 2019 The origins of Soranet seem jarringly benign for a site that has mobilized tens of thousands of protesters to take to the streets and an international effort to track down its administrators. — Shawn Musgrave, The Verge, "How ICE used an obscure rule to pursue the owners of a Korean porn site," 27 Sep. 2018 Moreover, supporting individuals rather than building institutions reinforces the status-quo of elites who can more easily mobilize. — Renad Mansour, Time, "Iraq Can Rebuild Itself. But Only if the West Stays Out of It," 10 May 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near mobilize

Statistics for mobilize

Last Updated

17 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for mobilize

The first known use of mobilize was in 1838

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More Definitions for mobilize

mobilize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mobilize

: to bring (people) together for action

: to come together for action

: to make (soldiers, an army, etc.) ready for war

See the full definition for mobilize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mobilize

verb

mo·bi·lize | \ ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz

mobilized; mobilizing

Kids Definition of mobilize

: to assemble (as military forces) and make ready for action

mobilize

verb

mo·bi·lize

variants: also British mobilise \ ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz

mobilized also British mobilised; mobilizing also British mobilising

Medical Definition of mobilize

transitive verb

1 : to put into movement or circulation : make mobile specifically : to release (something stored in the body) for body use the body mobilizes its antibodies

2 : to assemble (as resources) and make ready for use the sympathetic nervous system…mobilizes the bodily resources as a means of preparing for fight or flight— H. G. Armstrong

3 : to separate (an organ or part) from associated structures so as to make more accessible for operative procedures

4 : to develop to a state of acute activity ego feeling and ego attitude…mobilize hostile feelings toward others— Abram Kardiner

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization : assemble and organize for action