catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈka-tə-ˌlīz 

catalyzed; catalyzing

transitive verb

1

: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)

an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of the sugars

2

: bring about, inspire

his vigorous efforts to catalyze us into activity

—Harrison Brown

3

: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis

innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the field

—Newsweek

catalyzer noun

Synonyms

• beget
• breed
• bring
• bring about
• bring on
• cause
• create
• do
• draw on
• effect
• effectuate
• engender
• generate
• induce
• invoke
• make
• occasion
• produce
• prompt
• result (in)
• spawn
• translate (into)
• work
• yield

Examples of catalyze in a Sentence

a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Aditya Shah’s work has catalyzed positive change in this iconic metropolis. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

When most of us see a news story about a natural disaster, read a report about racial violence, or see the latest statistics about the gender wealth gap, we aren’t catalyzed to action because these are just the latest in a long string of big, complicated problems. —Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Successes like Bezos’ or countless other CEOs are usually catalyzed by failures. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024

Now, as a Bears rookie, Williams has catalyzed a 4-2 start and has much of a passionate fan base believing the never-ending search for a QB savior may be over. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz 

catalyzed; catalyzing

: to bring about or produce by chemical catalysis

Medical Definition

catalyze

transitive verb

cat·​a·​lyze

variants or British catalyse

ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz 

catalyzed or British catalysed; catalyzing or British catalysing

: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)

catalyzer noun

or British catalyser