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 report takes on even more importance in the wake of Friday’s market sell-off, which was catalyzed in part by a TD Cowen report that raised concerns around fellow Big Tech stock Microsoft and data centers.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
This is especially true once clever Mercury enters your creativity zone on March 3, catalyzing a fun and playful flow of ideas.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
By removing our usual routines, a trip can catalyze shifts in perspective, said Smith.
—Jen Rose Smith, AFAR Media, 18 Feb. 2025
On the field, Lindor more than anyone catalyzed the Mets’ midseason turnaround.
—Tim Britton, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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.
Alex Harring, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
This is especially true once clever Mercury enters your creativity zone on March 3, catalyzing a fun and playful flow of ideas.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
By removing our usual routines, a trip can catalyze shifts in perspective, said Smith.
—Jen Rose Smith, AFAR Media, 18 Feb. 2025
On the field, Lindor more than anyone catalyzed the Mets’ midseason turnaround.
—Tim Britton, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 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 3 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share