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
This is because free iron can catalyze reactive oxygen species, which may prove to be chemically damaging.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the loss of her first place in September, 2020, catalyzed Andrews’ decision to go back to school—but the pivot followed a lifelong interest in cycles of trauma and violence.
—Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Brown doesn’t want the only focus of her campaign to be child care, her role as a child care provider and advocate catalyzed her decision to run.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Mandated by the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, a 2021 bill catalyzing the transition to 100% renewable energy sources, this is the second four-year grid plan for ComEd.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the loss of her first place in September, 2020, catalyzed Andrews’ decision to go back to school—but the pivot followed a lifelong interest in cycles of trauma and violence.
—Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Brown doesn’t want the only focus of her campaign to be child care, her role as a child care provider and advocate catalyzed her decision to run.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
Mandated by the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, a 2021 bill catalyzing the transition to 100% renewable energy sources, this is the second four-year grid plan for ComEd.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 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 1 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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