Mobilize: meaning, definitions and examples

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mobilize

 

[ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

military

To prepare and organize troops for active service or deployment.

Synonyms

assemble, deploy, marshal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mobilize

Used when organizing people or resources for a specific purpose, often in an emergency or large-scale effort.

  • The community mobilized to help clean up after the hurricane.
  • The government mobilized troops to respond to the threat.
deploy

Often used in a military or technological context, referring to the strategic positioning or distribution of forces or resources.

  • The commander decided to deploy the troops along the border.
  • The company will deploy new software updates next week.
assemble

Used when gathering people or items together, usually in a specific place for a particular purpose or event.

  • Everyone was asked to assemble in the main hall for the meeting.
  • They need to assemble all the parts before starting the machine.
marshal

Used when arranging people, thoughts, or resources in an organized and often disciplined manner, typically for a specific goal or purpose.

  • He managed to marshal enough support to pass the new law.
  • The event organizers marshaled the participants into their groups.

Examples of usage

  • During the crisis, the government decided to mobilize the army.
  • The country quickly mobilized its forces in response to the threat.
Context #2 | Verb

society

To bring people together for a common purpose or cause.

Synonyms

galvanize, rally, unite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mobilize

Use when talking about organizing or preparing people, resources, or equipment for action or movement, particularly in military or disaster response scenarios.

  • The government needed to mobilize the army to assist in the national emergency.
  • Volunteers were mobilized to help with relief efforts after the earthquake.
unite

Use when referring to bringing people together into a single group with a common purpose, emphasizing harmony and cooperation.

  • The event aims to unite different communities in celebration of cultural diversity.
  • They are working to unite all factions within the organization for a common goal.
rally

Suitable for scenarios where people are coming together to support a cause or an effort, often seen in political, social, or sports contexts.

  • The candidate's strong stance on healthcare rallied many supporters.
  • Fans rallied behind their team in the final match.
galvanize

Best for describing a situation where someone or something causes strong action or reaction, usually by making people feel excited or determined. It often carries a positive connotation.

  • Her speech managed to galvanize the community into taking action against pollution.
  • The shocking news galvanized him into finally completing his project.

Examples of usage

  • The community mobilized to support the victims of the natural disaster.
  • The organization was able to mobilize volunteers for the event.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'mobilize' comes from the French 'mobiliser', which means 'to make mobile'.
  • Initially used in military contexts to describe preparing troops for movement.
  • The term has evolved to encompass non-military contexts, such as social movements and community actions.

Historical Context

  • During World War I and II, mobilization was critical for nations to prepare their armies for war.
  • Social movements in the 1960s, such as civil rights, effectively mobilized young people to advocate for change.
  • Recent global events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen rapid mobilization of health professionals and resources.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often mobilize groups to fight against a common enemy, showing teamwork and courage.
  • Popular songs like 'We Are the World' represent the idea of mobilizing people for humanitarian efforts.
  • Mobilizing ideas can be found in video games where players must rally forces to overcome challenges.

Psychology

  • Effective mobilization often relies on strong leadership and clear communication to unite people.
  • Social psychologists study how group dynamics can influence the ability to mobilize different populations.
  • Motivation plays a key role in mobilization; knowing why a cause is important can inspire action.

Education

  • In classrooms, teachers mobilize students to work on group projects, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
  • Educational campaigns often aim to mobilize communities to improve local schools and promote learning.
  • Understanding how to mobilize resources can be critical for educators to effectively manage classrooms.

Translations

Translations of the word "mobilize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mobilizar

🇮🇳 सक्रिय करना

🇩🇪 mobilisieren

🇮🇩 memobilisasi

🇺🇦 мобілізувати

🇵🇱 mobilizować

🇯🇵 動員する

🇫🇷 mobiliser

🇪🇸 movilizar

🇹🇷 seferber etmek

🇰🇷 동원하다

🇸🇦 تعبئة

🇨🇿 mobilizovat

🇸🇰 mobilizovať

🇨🇳 动员

🇸🇮 mobilizirati

🇮🇸 virkja

🇰🇿 жұмылдыру

🇬🇪 მობილიზება

🇦🇿 səfərbər etmək

🇲🇽 movilizar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,601, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.