rallying cry
noun
plural rallying cries
1
: a shouted word, phrase, or sound used by a body of fighters before or in battle : battle cry, war cry
… the innocent ejaculation hurrah! became a fearsome rallying cry in Napoleonic times.—
Geoffrey Hughes
Geoffrey Hughes2
: something (such as a catchphrase, incident, or event) that is used to excite people to support a cause or to rouse people to action
Lions captain Sam Warburton issued a rallying cry to his team yesterday … by urging them to "reach for the stars".—Mick Cleary
Mick ClearyUltimately, just 6 per cent of people would tell businesses to "keep doing what you're doing". If these findings do not act as a rallying cry for change, it is unclear what will.—Frank Luntz
Frank LuntzBoth campaigns have seized on the attempt to ban that book in schools as a rallying cry.—Edward Keenan
Edward KeenanThe much-despised gabelle, a tax first imposed on salt in France in the 13th century and at times soaring to 10 times the cost of producing salt in the first place, became a rallying cry for the French Revolution …—Ligaya Mishan
Ligaya MishanExamples of rallying cry in a Sentence
the rallying cry of a political movement
“We believe!” became the rallying cry of the fans.
Recent Examples on the Web
The brand, founded by Rachelle J. Hruska MacPherson, has become known for its brazen, feel-good quotes and passionate rallying cries, which are embroidered by hand onto sweaters ($320-$380) and sweatshirts ($150-$175) for women and men.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Within moments, a laughing chorus mimics it; our little group is belting out our rallying cry, established over the past few days of wandering up and down the Nile River.
—Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2025
This rallying cry—which originated on TikTok—has morphed from viral video to movement, from Etsy review to revolution.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Jan. 2025
The family’s capture became a rallying cry both for those who supported a deal to end the war and to release the hostages, and for those who believed that Israel should continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rallying cry
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Alix Strauss, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Within moments, a laughing chorus mimics it; our little group is belting out our rallying cry, established over the past few days of wandering up and down the Nile River.
—Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2025
This rallying cry—which originated on TikTok—has morphed from viral video to movement, from Etsy review to revolution.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Jan. 2025
The family’s capture became a rallying cry both for those who supported a deal to end the war and to release the hostages, and for those who believed that Israel should continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rallying cry
Cite this Entry
“Rallying cry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rallying%20cry. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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