Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense galvanizes, present participle galvanizing, past tense, past participle galvanizedregional note: in BRIT, also use galvanise
verb
To galvanize someone means to cause them to take action, for example by making them feel very excited, afraid, or angry.
The aid appeal has galvanised the German business community. [VERB noun]
They have been galvanised into collective action–militarily, politically and economically. [beVERB-ed + into]
[Also VERB noun + into]
Synonyms: stimulate, encourage, inspire, prompt More Synonyms of galvanize
galvanize in British English
or galvanise (ˈɡælvəˌnaɪz)
verb(transitive)
1.
to stimulate to action; excite; startle
2.
to cover (iron, steel, etc) with a protective zinc coating by dipping into molten zinc or by electrodeposition
3.
to stimulate by application of an electric current
noun
4. Caribbean
galvanized iron, usually in the form of corrugated sheets as used in roofing
Derived forms
galvanization (ˌgalvaniˈzation) or galvanisation (ˌgalvaniˈsation)
noun
galvanizer (ˈgalvaˌnizer) or galvaniser (ˈgalvaˌniser)
noun
galvanize in American English
(ˈgælvəˌnaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈgalvaˌnized or ˈgalvaˌnizing
1.
to apply an electric current to
2.
to stimulate as if by electric shock; rouse; stir; spur
3.
to plate (metal) with zinc, originally by galvanic action
Derived forms
galvanization (ˌgalvaniˈzation)
noun
Word origin
Fr galvaniser < galvanisme: see galvanism
Examples of 'galvanize' in a sentence
galvanize
The effect was to galvanize male trade unionists to broaden their dispute.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The campaign against steel nationalization was the one that most galvanized the party.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
The accident galvanized the attention and determination of the neighborhood.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
galvanize
British English: galvanize VERB
To galvanize someone means to cause them to take action, for example by making them feel very excited, afraid, or angry.
The aid appeal has galvanized the country's business community.
American English: galvanize
Brazilian Portuguese: galvanizar
Chinese: 使 > 而采取行动兴奋、害怕、愤怒等
European Spanish: galvanizar
French: galvaniser
German: mobilisieren
Italian: galvanizzare
Japanese: 駆り立てる
Korean: 자극하다
European Portuguese: galvanizar
Latin American Spanish: galvanizar
(verb)
Definition
to stimulate into action
The appeal has galvanized them into taking positive action.
Synonyms
stimulate
I was stimulated to examine my deepest thoughts.
encourage
When things aren't going well, he always encourages me.
inspire
What inspired you to change your name?
prompt
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.
move
The hearings moved me to come up with these suggestions.
fire
They were fired with an enthusiasm for public speaking.
shock
excite
I only take on work that excites me.
wake
Seeing his childhood home cheered him as it woke beautiful memories.
stir
I was intrigued by him, stirred by his intellect.
spur
His friend's plight had spurred him into taking part.
provoke
His comments have provoked a shocked reaction.
startle
arouse
His work has aroused intense interest.
awaken
He was snoring when I awakened him.
rouse
He did more to rouse the crowd than anybody else.
prod
a tactic to prod the government into spending more on education
jolt
kick-start
He has chosen to kick-start the economy by slashing interest rates.
electrify
The spectators were electrified by his courage.
goad
He goaded me into taking direct action.
impel
I felt impelled to go on speaking.
invigorate
Take a deep breath in to invigorate you.
put a bomb under (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of arouse
Definition
to produce (a reaction, emotion, or response)
His work has aroused intense interest.
Synonyms
stimulate,
encourage,
inspire,
prompt,
spark,
spur,
foster,
provoke,
rouse,
stir up,
inflame,
incite,
instigate,
whip up,
summon up,
whet,
kindle,
foment,
call forth
in the sense of awaken
Definition
to awake
He was snoring when I awakened him.
Synonyms
awake,
wake,
wake up,
revive,
arouse,
rouse
in the sense of electrify
Definition
to startle or excite intensely
The spectators were electrified by his courage.
Synonyms
thrill,
shock,
excite,
amaze,
stir,
stimulate,
astonish,
startle,
arouse,
animate,
rouse,
astound,
jolt,
fire,
galvanize,
take your breath away
Synonyms of 'galvanize'
galvanize
Explore 'galvanize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of prompt
Definition
to motivate or cause someone to do something
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.
Synonyms
cause,
move,
inspire,
stimulate,
occasion (formal),
urge,
spur,
provoke,
motivate,
induce,
evoke,
give rise to,
elicit,
incite,
instigate,
impel,
call forth
in the sense of provoke
Definition
to bring about
His comments have provoked a shocked reaction.
Synonyms
rouse,
cause,
produce,
lead to,
move,
fire,
promote,
occasion (formal),
excite,
inspire,
generate,
prompt,
stir,
stimulate,
motivate,
induce,
bring about,
evoke,
give rise to,
precipitate,
elicit,
inflame,
incite,
instigate,
kindle,
foment,
call forth,
draw forth,
bring on or down
in the sense of rouse
Definition
to provoke or excite
He did more to rouse the crowd than anybody else.
Synonyms
excite,
move,
arouse,
stir,
disturb,
provoke,
anger,
startle,
animate,
prod,
exhilarate,
get going,
agitate,
inflame,
incite,
whip up,
galvanize,
bestir
in the sense of spur
Definition
to encourage (someone)
His friend's plight had spurred him into taking part.
Synonyms
incite,
drive,
prompt,
press,
urge,
stimulate,
animate,
prod,
prick,
goad,
impel
in the sense of stir
Definition
to excite or move (someone) emotionally
I was intrigued by him, stirred by his intellect.
Synonyms
stimulate,
move,
excite,
fire,
raise,
touch,
affect,
urge,
inspire,
prompt,
spur,
thrill,
provoke,
arouse,
awaken,
animate,
rouse,
prod,
quicken,
inflame,
incite,
instigate,
electrify,
kindle
in the sense of wake
Seeing his childhood home cheered him as it woke beautiful memories.