galvanize
verb
gal·va·nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 
galvanized; galvanizing
transitive verb
1
a
: 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
galvanization
ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun galvanizer
ˈgal-və-ˌnī-zər
noun 
Did you know?
Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician and physicist who, in the 1770s, studied the electrical nature of nerve impulses by applying electrical stimulation to frogs' leg muscles, causing them to contract. Although Galvani's theory that animal tissue contained an innate electrical impulse was disproven, the French word galvanisme came to describe a current of electricity especially when produced by chemical action. English borrowed the word as galvanism, and shortly after the verb galvanize came to life.
Synonyms
- charge
- electrify
- excite
- exhilarate
- intoxicate
- pump up
- thrill
- titillate
- turn on
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law. The website has galvanized support for the project. a factory where steel is galvanized
Recent Examples on the Web His proposal muddles the message that would galvanize younger voters and, with no real accountability, lead to a replication of abused Black and brown communities. 
Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2022 Democrats are hoping DeWine's response to the 2019 Dayton mass shooting will help galvanize base voters. Titus Wu, The Enquirer, 3 Aug. 2022 Overall, party officials and politicians are keeping a close eye on how the overturning of Roe v. Wade could galvanize voters ahead of the midterms. Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2022 Jessica Cisneros joined demonstrators just days before early voting begins in her primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which could be one of the first tests over whether the court leak will galvanize voters. al, 14 May 2022 Jessica Cisneros joined demonstrators just days before early voting begins in her primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which could be one of the first tests over whether the court leak will galvanize voters. Ashraf Khalil And David Sharp, Chron, 14 May 2022 Quarterback battles can galvanize a team if the right signal-caller emerges from the fray. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 The combination of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump may still galvanize Democratic turnout. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 The war in Ukraine should galvanize Washington policy makers. Alexander B. Gray, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2022 Democrats are hoping DeWine's response to the 2019 Dayton mass shooting will help galvanize base voters. Titus Wu, The Enquirer, 3 Aug. 2022 Overall, party officials and politicians are keeping a close eye on how the overturning of Roe v. Wade could galvanize voters ahead of the midterms. Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2022 Jessica Cisneros joined demonstrators just days before early voting begins in her primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which could be one of the first tests over whether the court leak will galvanize voters. al, 14 May 2022 Jessica Cisneros joined demonstrators just days before early voting begins in her primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which could be one of the first tests over whether the court leak will galvanize voters. Ashraf Khalil And David Sharp, Chron, 14 May 2022 Quarterback battles can galvanize a team if the right signal-caller emerges from the fray. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 The combination of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump may still galvanize Democratic turnout. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 22 Aug. 2022 The war in Ukraine should galvanize Washington policy makers. Alexander B. Gray, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from French galvaniser, from Luigi galvani (who conducted pioneering experiments in bioelectricity) + -iser -ize
Note: See note at galvanism.
First Known Use
1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Kids Definition
galvanize
verb
gal·va·nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz
galvanized; galvanizing
1
: to excite about something so that action is taken Increasing litter galvanized children to clean up the park.
2
: to coat with zinc for protection The steel was galvanized to prevent it from rusting.
Medical Definition
galvanize
transitive verb
gal·va·nize
variants or British galvanise
ˈgal-və-ˌnīz
galvanized or British galvanised; galvanizing or British galvanising
: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically
galvanize a muscle
galvanizer
noun
as in organizer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- organizer
- promoter
- inspirer
- developer
- builder
- pioneer
- encourager
- maker
- producer
- researcher
- innovator
- designer
- inventor
- inspiration
- formulator
- researchist
- conceiver
- deviser
- initiator
- contriver
- generator
- cocreator
- originator
- founder
- cofounder
- inaugurator
- begetter
- creator
- introducer
- spawner
- establisher
- institutor
- instituter
- author
- father
- sire
- founding father
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- student
- pupil
- supporter
- disciple
- follower