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
Opposition to these incursions catalyzed a more determined resistance than Democrats had shown before.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Political optimism has become a key pillar of the rally that has been catalyzed by Takaichi's strong electoral mandate, said market watchers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The Golden State is at a critical juncture in textile waste management, with the implementation of SB 707 catalyzing a circular economy.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
While attending the Olympics, the South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, received his first-ever invitation to visit North Korea, ultimately catalyzing the April 2018 Inter-Korea Summit, the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade.
—Samuel Sanders, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Political optimism has become a key pillar of the rally that has been catalyzed by Takaichi's strong electoral mandate, said market watchers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
The Golden State is at a critical juncture in textile waste management, with the implementation of SB 707 catalyzing a circular economy.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
While attending the Olympics, the South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, received his first-ever invitation to visit North Korea, ultimately catalyzing the April 2018 Inter-Korea Summit, the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade.
—Samuel Sanders, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
Cite this Entry
“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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