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

Although Brown doesn’t want the only focus of her campaign to be child care, her role as a child care provider and advocate catalyzed her decision to run. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026

Mandated by the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, a 2021 bill catalyzing the transition to 100% renewable energy sources, this is the second four-year grid plan for ComEd. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

For decades, development assistance has built markets, strengthened governance, and catalyzed private investment — the foundations that make commerce possible. —Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026

The law catalyzed federal programs supporting cancer research and care. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catalyze

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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