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
Officers in the beating of Rodney King had been acquitted of assault, catalyzing deadly riots.
—Tim Arango, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But this reunion catalyzes their desire to connect the dots that constitute their parallel lives.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
But the fact that anyone is allowed by law to do so enables the public to hold government accountable and has catalyzed important government reforms.
—Reshma Ramachandran, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
The #MeToo movement was catalyzed in part by the many women who came forward to accuse Weinstein of misconduct, starting in 2017.
—Ilya Marritz, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Tim Arango, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But this reunion catalyzes their desire to connect the dots that constitute their parallel lives.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
But the fact that anyone is allowed by law to do so enables the public to hold government accountable and has catalyzed important government reforms.
—Reshma Ramachandran, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
The #MeToo movement was catalyzed in part by the many women who came forward to accuse Weinstein of misconduct, starting in 2017.
—Ilya Marritz, NPR, 23 Apr. 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 28 May. 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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