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
His performance here most recalls his tragicomic portrayal of John Brown, the heroic but unhinged abolitionist whose quixotic raid on Harpers Ferry helped catalyze the Civil War, in Showtime’s 2020 adaptation of James McBride’s The Good Lord Bird.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the bank has catalyzed $1 billion in investments for the construction of large-scale solar generation projects in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The decision to expand there was motivated by the region’s ongoing social evolution catalyzed by the growing expat communities of Indians, Russians and British, Nomad cofounder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte told WWD.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Holland also originated the role of Elegba in the 2009 production of The Brothers Size, which perhaps catalyzes a clever, poignant dynamic in his tension with Mays’ Elegba.
—Essence, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the bank has catalyzed $1 billion in investments for the construction of large-scale solar generation projects in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The decision to expand there was motivated by the region’s ongoing social evolution catalyzed by the growing expat communities of Indians, Russians and British, Nomad cofounder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte told WWD.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Holland also originated the role of Elegba in the 2009 production of The Brothers Size, which perhaps catalyzes a clever, poignant dynamic in his tension with Mays’ Elegba.
—Essence, 17 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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