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
As outrage over the verdict catalyzed activist campaigns into criminalizing spousal rape in every state (only achieved, with many loopholes, in 1993) the town of Salem, Oregon just wanted to move on.
—Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
The carbon nanofiber provides mechanical stability, abundant pore channels, and excellent electrolyte wettability, while the cobalt sites catalyze the adsorption and conversion of polysulfides.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Her work has been featured in retreats, leadership circles, and coaching programs, where she is celebrated for her emotional depth and ability to catalyze radical transformation.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Interestingly, as our guide pointed out, this was built before the 1922 discovery of King Tut’s tomb, an event that catalyzed a Western obsession with Egyptian material culture.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
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Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
The carbon nanofiber provides mechanical stability, abundant pore channels, and excellent electrolyte wettability, while the cobalt sites catalyze the adsorption and conversion of polysulfides.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Her work has been featured in retreats, leadership circles, and coaching programs, where she is celebrated for her emotional depth and ability to catalyze radical transformation.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Interestingly, as our guide pointed out, this was built before the 1922 discovery of King Tut’s tomb, an event that catalyzed a Western obsession with Egyptian material culture.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 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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