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
According to the new study, certain forms of iron oxyhydroxide nanominerals can catalyze the degradation of organophosphate esters (OPEs), chemical additives used in plastics as flame retardants and softeners.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 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
The influx of international productions has catalyzed infrastructure development.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Like with the ozone hole, this worry must be catalyzed into civic engagement, building a global movement that works with governments to make a prohibition on superintelligence a reality.
—Andrea Miotti, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 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
The influx of international productions has catalyzed infrastructure development.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Like with the ozone hole, this worry must be catalyzed into civic engagement, building a global movement that works with governments to make a prohibition on superintelligence a reality.
—Andrea Miotti, Time, 29 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 5 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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