What does "galvanize" mean?

To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.

What is a synonym for "galvanize"?

Common synonyms include: startle, startle, abet, activate, actuate, actuate.

Pronounced //ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z//.

//ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z// verb

verb ·Common ·High school level

Verb

1
To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means. broadly, dated, transitive
2
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock wordnet
3
To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.; To coat with a layer of zinc (for rust resistance) by electrochemical means. broadly, dated, transitive, usually
"We then galvanize the steel so that the zinc coating will sacrificially take the corrosion for many years."
4
cover with zinc wordnet
5
To shock or stimulate into sudden activity, as if by electric shock. figuratively, transitive
"The girl’s picture helped galvanize public opinion against the administration’s policy."

Show 3 more definitions

6
to stimulate to action wordnet
7
To electrify, as by galvanism. archaic, transitive
"The agitations resembled the grinnings and writhings of a galvanized corpse, not the struggles of an athletic man."
8
To switch sides between Union and Confederate in the American Civil War. US, historical, transitive
"Reenactors called this “galvanizing,” the Civil War term for soldiers who switched sides during the conflict."