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 of catalyze

• create
• cause
• generate
• bring
• prompt
• produce
• do

Examples of catalyze in a Sentence

a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country

Recent Examples on the Web

The march stems from the violent 1969 police raid of the Stonewall Inn that catalyzed the gay rights movement at a time when many people who were LGBTQIA+ hid their identity. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 June 2026

The Ferrari partnership has catalyzed this philosophy, bringing to bear the materials science, simulation technologies and manufacturing precision that have made Maranello the benchmark of motorsport engineering. — Richard Mille Contributor, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Federal support for private projects should be robust and milestone-based and designed to catalyze, not replace, private capital. — Brigitte Bren, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

President Biden signed official legislation following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor that catalyzed demands for justice and equity worldwide. — Danielle Broadway, Parents, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catalyze

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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