galvanize

Advancedzipf 2.31

Pronunciation

/ˈɡælvənaɪz/(GAL-vuh-nize)

Part of speech

verbformal

Chinese

激励；刺激（使人立即行动起来）；镀锌

Definition

To shock or excite someone into taking action.

Word family

  • galvanizing/ˈɡælvənaɪzɪŋ/(adj)激动人心的
  • galvanized/ˈɡælvənaɪzd/(adj)镀锌的/被激励的

Collocations

  • galvanize support
  • galvanize action
  • galvanize the public
  • galvanized into action

Examples

  1. 1.The tragedy galvanized the community into demanding reform. (spurred to action)
  2. 2.Her passionate speech galvanized the volunteers. (inspired immediate action)

Synonyms

  • inspire/ɪnˈspaɪə/— fill with motivation
  • motivate/ˈməʊtɪveɪt/— give reason to act
  • electrify/ɪˈlɛktrɪfaɪ/— excite powerfully

Etymology

named after Luigi Galvani, who made dead frogs' legs twitch with electricity — a jolt that gets you moving