mobilize

/ˌmoʊbəˈlaɪz/

/ˈmʌʊbɪlaɪz/

Other forms: mobilized; mobilizing; mobilizes

Use the verb mobilize to describe preparing something — or someone — to spring into action, or to be put into use. You might mobilize the troops, or even your classmates, into action.

A busy mother might mobilize her kids to grab their lunches and head out to the bus stop on time, and a detective might mobilize her resources before tracking down a wily criminal. Mobilize literally means "make mobile," and the Latin root is mobilis, "movable, pliable, or flexible."

Definitions of mobilize

1. verb

   make ready for action or use
   synonyms: marshal, mobilise, summon

   type of:

   collect, garner, gather, pull together

   assemble or get together
2. verb

   get ready for war
   synonyms: mobilise

   antonyms:

   demobilize

   retire from military service

   type of:

   militarise, militarize

   lend a military character to (a country), as by building up a military force
3. verb

   call to arms; of military personnel
   synonyms: call up, mobilise, rally

   antonyms:

   demobilize

   release from military service or remove from the active list of military service

   type of:

   call, send for

   order, request, or command to come
4. verb

   cause to move around
   synonyms: circulate, mobilise

   type of:

   displace, move

   cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense