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

Growth through crisis The debate over Fed accountability has taken on a new dimension since the 2008 financial crisis, which catalyzed a historic expansion of its activities. — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

However, critics question whether the project can catalyze the rebirth of Argentina, once one of the world’s richest countries. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

That was a couple months before the launch of ChatGPT catalyzed the generative AI boom that would ultimately help turn Nvidia into the world’s most valuable company. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Ruby Ridge and Waco became battle cries that catalyzed the Patriot Movement, a white supremacist militia movement that fused conspiracism and antigovernment narratives with Christian nationalism. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 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