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
The area sits across from Fondazione Prada, one of the first projects to catalyze the regeneration of the former industrial Symbiosis district, emerging as a fashion hub with headquarters for Bottega Veneta and Moncler.
—Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Following a 9-0 run, catalyzed by Leonard, Mathurin drove straight at Doncic – landing a floater and drawing a foul.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
This fever pitch is the product of countless factors, a harmonic convergence of sorts catalyzed by our central location and abundance of state-of-the-art facilities, underscored by about $700 million invested locally in the last 15 years alone.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Opposition to these incursions catalyzed a more determined resistance than Democrats had shown before.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Following a 9-0 run, catalyzed by Leonard, Mathurin drove straight at Doncic – landing a floater and drawing a foul.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026
This fever pitch is the product of countless factors, a harmonic convergence of sorts catalyzed by our central location and abundance of state-of-the-art facilities, underscored by about $700 million invested locally in the last 15 years alone.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Opposition to these incursions catalyzed a more determined resistance than Democrats had shown before.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 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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