as in mobilization
an act of gathering forces together to renew or attempt an effort
the rallying of students to support our petition for better bus service was made a lot easier by this morning's subzero temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in joking
marked by or expressive of mild or good-natured teasing
he took his friends' rallying remarks about his girlfriend good-naturedly
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in mobilizing
to assemble and make ready for action
rallied the Red Cross workers to deal with the devastating earthquake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recovering
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness
despite the best care that medicine could provide, the elderly woman never really rallied from her fractured hip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rebounding
to regain a former or normal state
after wavering a moment on the balance beam, she quickly rallied and finished with a fine dismount
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in teasing
to make fun of in a good-natured way
his friends rallied him for missing an easy putt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rallying
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
An $850,000 ecotourism resort in Costa Rica for a study abroad program became a rallying cry for his detractors, and a scathing audit uncovered other questionable decisions.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Brendan McLaughlin potted a pair of goals to prove the difference for Marshfield, rallying from an early two-goal deficit to beat Quincy/North Quincy 4-2 in Patriot League action.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rallying
Noun
In retrospect, maybe that should’ve been viewed less as a rallying cry and more of a harbinger of what was to come in his first calendar year.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
An $850,000 ecotourism resort in Costa Rica for a study abroad program became a rallying cry for his detractors, and a scathing audit uncovered other questionable decisions.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Winning by rallying the naïve and clueless is one thing, but administering a throbbing behemoth is a greater challenge.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Brendan McLaughlin potted a pair of goals to prove the difference for Marshfield, rallying from an early two-goal deficit to beat Quincy/North Quincy 4-2 in Patriot League action.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rallying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rallying
Noun
-
The autonomic nervous system shifts from a state of calm engagement to one of defensive mobilization.—
Amy Cuddy,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson’s background also reinforced the importance of the Black church in Black political mobilization.—
Gibbs Knotts,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the second game, Charlestown’s rally was not enough as Boston Latin Academy advanced to the championship with a 71-66 victory over Charlestown.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson visited San Diego a number of times, whether campaigning for president, marching with activists or speaking to students or rallies.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But pull her away from the TV cameras, photographers and the prying eyes of the world, and her sarcastic-bordering-on-vulgar sense of humor bubbles to the surface.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Liu asked with a sarcastic scoff and giggle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When the film won, many in the media room at BAFTA turned to each other with a quizzical look.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
-
With quizzical eyes upon it, Players Era announced that its checks ultimately cleared a couple weeks later, with most of the money routed through schools’ dedicated NIL collectives.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rallying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rallying. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
