catalyze
verb
cat·a·lyze
ˈka-tə-ˌlīz 
catalyzed; catalyzing
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
Harrison Brown3
: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis
innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the field—Newsweek
Newsweek
catalyzer
noun
Examples of catalyze in a Sentence
a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
The bicycle brought personal transport to the masses for the first time, catalyzing disruptive societal change.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025
What could have remained a fleeting viral moment instead catalyzed an entire educational ecosystem spanning disciplines from business to humanities, STEM to personal development.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
For WeatherTech, the impetus to return to the Big Game was catalyzed by a creative idea about older women going wild, which was developed by one of Pinnacle’s art directors and pitched to MacNeil last spring, Magnusson said.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025
What could have remained a fleeting viral moment instead catalyzed an entire educational ecosystem spanning disciplines from business to humanities, STEM to personal development.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
For WeatherTech, the impetus to return to the Big Game was catalyzed by a creative idea about older women going wild, which was developed by one of Pinnacle’s art directors and pitched to MacNeil last spring, Magnusson said.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
Cite this Entry
“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
catalyzed or British catalysed; catalyzing or British catalysing
: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)
catalyzer
noun
or British catalyser
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