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

Named for their maternal grandmother, the gallery was unique at the time in its status as a commercial, rather than solely a community, space and has since been credited with catalyzing the cultural milieu around it, as Black artists moved to the area to live and work. —News Desk, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2025

Assuming tariffs contribute to a surge in inflation, the U.S. central bank is less likely to enact the interest rate cuts markets broadly see as catalyzing growth, Capital Economics Chief North America economist Paul Ashworth said in a note. —Suzanne McGee and Isla Binnie, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025

All of that success was catalyzed by a talented, experienced offensive line that featured four former first-round picks and two Pro Bowl honorees this season in right tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

Evolving Pricing Models In my opinion, one surefire prediction for 2025 is that pricing models will undergo a significant transformation catalyzed by the desire for better alignment between vendors and buyers. —Arjun Pillai, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

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