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 numbers provide a rare look into the growth catalyzed by friendly legislatures and government money, while public school districts are losing students and closing schools. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 16 July 2026

Florida has long thought of itself as a state that catalyzes growth, backed up by its booming population. — Matt Brooks, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Yet the latest edition of the Fed's Beige Book — a recap of regional conditions published eight times a year — indicated that the event wasn't necessarily catalyzing broader economic growth. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026

While insufficient to solve the problem immediately, this shift could catalyze transformation if deployed with urgency and discipline. — Sas Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 10 July 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