mobilize

play

verb mo·bi·lize \ ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz \

Definition of mobilize

mobilized; mobilizing

transitive verb

1 a :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.

2 a :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.

See mobilize defined for English-language learners

See mobilize defined for kids

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 of mobilize from the Web

Here are how some major insurance companies are mobilizing for customers as well as tips for contacting agents and filing claims.

— beth buczynski, The Seattle Times, "How insurers are mobilizing to help Harvey victims," 30 Aug. 2017
Mobilizing a president, his staff and his security is an enormous logistical undertaking and can pull local law enforcement resources away from the disaster recovery efforts.

— julie pace, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's turn to face tricky politics of natural disasters," 29 Aug. 2017
No matter, mall security experts and police say there really wasn’t an alternative to quickly trying to evacuate the masses and mobilizing law enforcement.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "There wasn’t a shooter, but security experts say the Dolphin Mall had to be cleared," 23 Aug. 2017
In Alabama — where studies show more than half of schools have used corporal punishment in recent years — a group of students has also mobilized.

— kirsten clark, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky still allows students to be paddled, and this Louisville kid wants to stop it," 10 Aug. 2017
As record numbers of women across America embrace activism and express interest in holding political office, a new national organization is encouraging those efforts to mobilize, organize and galvanize: indeed, it’s called The Galvanize Program.

— donna m. owens, Essence.com, "Valerie Jarrett Is Giving Women, Activists The Tools They Need To Hold Political Office," 24 July 2017
In key swing states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio, whites were mobilized to talk about race with other whites to neutralize Obama’s racial disadvantage.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "The Colorblind Whitewashers of American History," 22 July 2017
And if Russia can create and mobilize literally millions of bots to take to Twitter in support of Trump, spreading lies and attacking Americans, then the social network needs to find a way to stop this from ever happening again.

— vanityfair.com, "The Real Tragedy of Donnygate," 13 July 2017
But together, these dedicated activists amount to a powerful new constituency, one that is homegrown, bipartisan and mobilized behind a single issue: to protect access to federal health care benefits.

— charlotte alter, Time, "The United Patients of America," 13 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of mobilize

1838

mobilize Synonyms

Synonyms

marshal (also marshall), muster, rally

Antonyms

demob [chiefly British], demobilize

Related Words

arrange, group, line up, order, organize; call (up), convene, summon; activate; collect, round up

Near Antonyms

disarrange, disorder, disorganize, disrupt, disturb; deactivate, dismiss; break up, disband, dissolve, split (up)

MOBILIZE Defined for English Language Learners

mobilize

play

verb

Definition of mobilize for English Language Learners

: to bring (people) together for action
: to come together for action
: to make (soldiers, an army, etc.) ready for war

MOBILIZE Defined for Kids

mobilize

play

verb mo·bi·lize \ ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz \

Definition of mobilize for Students

mobilized; mobilizing

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

Medical Dictionary

mobilize

verb mo·bi·lize

variants: also British mobilise play \ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz\

medical Definition of mobilize

mobilized also British mobilised; mobilizing also British mobilising

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

—

mobilizable

also British mobilisable play \ˈmō-bə-ˌlī-zə-bəl\ adjective

Learn More about mobilize

See words that rhyme with mobilize Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mobilize Spanish Central: Translation of mobilize Nglish: Translation of mobilize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mobilize for Arabic speakers

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mobilize

Definition of mobilize

From the M-W Editors

Examples of mobilize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mobilize from the Web

First Known Use of mobilize

mobilize Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

MOBILIZE Defined for English Language Learners

mobilize

Definition of mobilize for English Language Learners

MOBILIZE Defined for Kids

mobilize

Definition of mobilize for Students

Medical Dictionary

mobilize

medical Definition of mobilize

mobilizable

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