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rallying cry

rallying cry

12 5.6
A short word or phrase that encourages people to unite and act for a cause
  • noun
  • /ˈræliɪŋ kraɪ/
translation icon : consigna
  • Nobody knows, but it was the rallying cry of the Free Soil movement.
  • became the rallying cry

Then Officer Edwards described the Proud Boys rallying cry.

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Examples

  • The phrase "Climate justice now!" became a rallying cry for activists around the world.

  • Some may use the increased assistance offered to countries like Yemen as a rallying cry.

    Blog text (25)
  • But it was a good rallying cry for people to come onto the streets.

  • And your name, like it or not, is a rallying cry.

  • Nation before self, this could be a rallying cry as you go towards your political goal.

  • The song, "We Take Care of Our Own" has become the rallying cry for the next four years.

    Blog text (28)
  • The report also coined the term that became a rallying cry: environmental racism.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Like the wage gap, this has become a rallying cry for advocates of preference programs for women.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Recently, however, federalism has become a rallying cry for resurgent conservatives in Congress and state government.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Gbowee talked about common humanity and the quest for peace as the rallying cry in Liberia.

    Blog text (26)

Synonyms

cry
vsrallying cry
110 4.9

A short phrase used to show strong support for a cause

is the general idea of encouraging unity and action for a cause
call to arms
vsrallying cry
  • Formal
9 5.9

A strong appeal for people to take action for a cause

is more general, covering everyday encouragement to unite and act
battle cry
vsrallying cry
8 3.9

A loud shout or short phrase that encourages people to act together

is broader, applying to unity and action beyond violent conflict
watchword
vsrallying cry
5 7.0

A short phrase that guides a group or cause

is more about immediate urging to act rather than a lasting principle
clarion call
vsrallying cry
  • Literature
4 6.8

A strong clear request that makes people take action

is similar but can be less formal and less urgent
war cry
vsrallying cry
2 4.3

A loud shout to encourage or rally people before a battle

covers similar motivating uses but also nonviolent movement contexts
catchword
vsrallying cry
1 7.6

A short word or phrase often used by a group as a slogan

focuses more on prompting people to unite and take action
war whoop
vsrallying cry
  • Archaic
1 8.8

A loud, high shout warriors make to gather their group or scare the enemy

is wider in use, including peaceful movements and slogans for causes
harambee
vsrallying cry
  • UK
9.9

A loud shout to encourage people to work together on a task

is broader, not limited to communal work but any united action
party cry
vsrallying cry
7.0

A short chant people shout together at a celebration to show support

is aimed more at organizing people for causes and sustained action

Antonyms

4 6.4

A situation when people or groups do not agree

How Motivating

battle cry
8 3.9
rallying cry
12 5.6
chant
57 3.0
slogan
202 2.5

Surface Forms

rallying cry singular

Morphology

rallying + cry

The meaning is directly built from 'rallying' (uniting/motivating people) plus 'cry' (a call or slogan), so the combined sense — a call that unites and motivates people — is readily inferable. This compositional pattern is common cross‑linguistically and follows standard noun‑formation logic, making it transparent to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Rallying cry comes from the simple image of a loud call that brings people together: leaders or soldiers would shout a cry to rally a group into action. That's why a rallying cry today is a short word or slogan that 'encourages' people and helps them 'unite' for a cause.