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

The luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, producing blue light, which GFP then absorbs and re-emits as green fluorescence. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

The monument centers on a tiny park across the street from the Stonewall Inn, the gay bar where a 1969 police raid sparked an uprising and helped catalyze the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. —ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

If the idea is a good one, then an extra 24 hours of thought will not hurt and may prevent you from executing a reactive trade that is catalyzed by market movement only. —Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

The 2019 export ban changed that dynamic, catalyzing a sharp increase in domestic mineral processing investment and accelerating industrial development. —Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 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