catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈka-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce catalyze (audio)
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 activityHarrison Brown
3
: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis
innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the fieldNewsweek
catalyzer noun

Examples of catalyze in a Sentence

a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Big tax cuts and even larger budget deficits, high tariffs, and severe tightening of the labor market because of major immigrant deportations (or even the fear of them) are likely to catalyze higher inflation. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 This incident catalyzed Madhvani’s exploration of colonial identity and historical narrative. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 This experience catalyzed my transition from chemistry to applied machine learning at Cambridge, where collaboration with physicists and computer scientists revealed how each field's analytical tools could transform others. William Purvis, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 By signaling the national security importance of those technologies, an SWF would catalyze additional private investment toward areas of critical innovation and the supply chains that secure them. Steve Bowsher, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catalyze

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalyze was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

catalyze

verb
cat·​a·​lyze ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce catalyze (audio)
catalyzed; catalyzing
: to bring about or produce by chemical catalysis

Medical Definition

catalyze

transitive verb
cat·​a·​lyze
variants or British catalyse
catalyzed or British catalysed; catalyzing or British catalysing
: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)
catalyzer noun
or British catalyser
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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