Rally

/ˈɹæli/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A public gathering or mass meeting that is not mainly a protest and is organized to inspire enthusiasm for a cause.
  • Grammar: rally is listed as noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: $100-a-plate dinner, abet, accumulate, activate.
  • Useful contrasts: decline, deteriorate, dip.
  • Usage evidence: I'm going to a monster truck rally.

How to use "rally"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rally" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "rally" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "rally" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "rally" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "rally" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "$100-a-plate dinner" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "rally", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A public gathering or mass meeting that is not mainly a protest and is organized to inspire enthusiasm for a cause.

    "a campaign rally"

  2. 2
    Good-humoured raillery. uncountable
  3. 3
    the feat of mustering strength for a renewed effort wordnet
  4. 4
    A protest or demonstration for or against something, but often with speeches and often without marching, especially in North America.

    "a political rally"

  5. 5
    (sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes wordnet
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    A sequence of strokes between serving and scoring a point.
  2. 7
    an automobile race run over public roads wordnet
  3. 8
    An event in which competitors drive through a series of timed special stages at intervals. The winner is the driver who completes all stages with the shortest cumulative time.
  4. 9
    a large gathering of people intended to arouse enthusiasm wordnet
  5. 10
    A recovery after a decline in prices (said of the market, stocks, etc.)
  6. 11
    a marked recovery of strength or spirits during an illness wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To collect, and reduce to order, as troops dispersed or thrown into confusion; to gather again; to reunite. transitive
  2. 2
    To tease; to chaff good-humouredly. transitive

    "But you must not rally him on the subject Sir Oliver—'tis a tender Point I assure you though He has been married only seven months."

  3. 3
    return to a former condition wordnet
  4. 4
    To come into orderly arrangement; to renew order, or united effort, as troops scattered or put to flight; to assemble. intransitive

    "Innumerable parts of matter chanced just then to rally together, and to form themselves into this new world."

  5. 5
    harass with persistent criticism or carping wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    To collect one's vital powers or forces; to regain health or consciousness. ambitransitive

    "Norbourne was almost thankful for any excuse that enabled him to avoid seeing Lady Marchmont. In vain he sought to rally his spirits, and to conceal his depression; but the idea of Ethel mocked his efforts to forget."

  2. 7
    call to arms; of military personnel wordnet
  3. 8
    To recover strength after a decline in prices. intransitive

    "Bitcoin has still plunged in value by almost two-thirds this year, it should be said. But it has also rallied by about 10% since the downwards lurch when FTX filed for bankruptcy in mid-November, which is extraordinary."

  4. 9
    gather or bring together wordnet
  5. 10
    gather wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
$100-a-plate dinnerabetaccumulateactivateadduceadvance

Example

"I'm going to a monster truck rally."

Common questions

What does "rally" mean?

A public gathering or mass meeting that is not mainly a protest and is organized to inspire enthusiasm for a cause.

What is a synonym for "rally"?

Common synonyms include: $100-a-plate dinner, abet, accumulate, activate, adduce, advance.

How do you use "rally" in a sentence?

I'm going to a monster truck rally.

How do you pronounce "rally"?

Pronounced /ˈɹæli/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French rallier (French rallier), from Old French ralier, from Latin prefix re- + ad + ligare (“to bind; to ally”).

Etymology 2

From French railler. See rail (“to scoff”).

More for "rally"

Synonyms

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