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
But by the time Mo returned for its second season, this past January, the massacre Hamas committed on Israeli soil on that day in 2023 had catalyzed a war that has decimated Gaza.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 June 2025
Major indexes were flat ahead of Nvidia earnings, an event which often catalyzes broader moves.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
The case that catalyzed the #MeToo movement is now back in the spotlight, one year after Weinstein’s conviction was overturned when the New York Court of Appeals ruled that testimony against him from women who were not part of the case led to an unfair trial.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
Officers in the beating of Rodney King had been acquitted of assault, catalyzing deadly riots.
—Tim Arango, New York Times, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Judy Berman, Time, 3 June 2025
Major indexes were flat ahead of Nvidia earnings, an event which often catalyzes broader moves.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
The case that catalyzed the #MeToo movement is now back in the spotlight, one year after Weinstein’s conviction was overturned when the New York Court of Appeals ruled that testimony against him from women who were not part of the case led to an unfair trial.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
Officers in the beating of Rodney King had been acquitted of assault, catalyzing deadly riots.
—Tim Arango, New York Times, 14 May 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 6 Jun. 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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