as in stimulus
something that arouses action or activity
Her expulsion from the university proved to be a catalyst for needed change.
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Recent Examples of catalyst
The rise can be attributed to a number of factors, with some research pointing to a drop-off in stimulus funds after COVID-19 as one of the catalysts.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch did his best to shut down the buzz around the theory that an electrical substation near Levi’s Stadium could be the catalyst for the spate of injuries that team has suffered over the last few years.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Ackman’s tweet was the only obvious catalyst as Fannie Mae surged as much as 41% in Monday trading, while Freddie Mac climbed as much as 34%.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
And those recruiting wins were catalysts for both Elite Eight runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch did his best to shut down the buzz around the theory that an electrical substation near Levi’s Stadium could be the catalyst for the spate of injuries that team has suffered over the last few years.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Ackman’s tweet was the only obvious catalyst as Fannie Mae surged as much as 41% in Monday trading, while Freddie Mac climbed as much as 34%.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
And those recruiting wins were catalysts for both Elite Eight runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst
Noun
-
To check whether progesterone was the trigger, the researchers removed the female from the barrier tank and replaced her with conical plastic tubes coated with various chemical stimuli, sliding them into the small holes of the wall divider.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In general, weight loss means less load on your bones, which reduces the stimulus to create new bone cells.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Higher diesel and jet fuel prices are impacting the cost of shipping, meaning everything from food and clothes to toys is subject to higher prices.—
Austin Carter,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In Kuwait, local media reported that fuel depots of the Kuwait International Airport were set on fire on Wednesday following an attack by an Iranian drone, causing significant damage.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From Hollywood, California, to Hollywood, Florida, the wage standard needs nurturing and protecting with whatever tools are available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
There are other tools the EU could use.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many travelers cited non-refundable fare change fees as a top cancellation trigger, Jay Ellenby, president of Safe Harbors travel group, said in an email.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Littlejohn claimed innocence, though, alleging that his co-conspirator Glenn Bethany pulled the trigger.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The cause of the woman's death has not yet been determined, and police have not released her name.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Union League, in contrast, was for those who could demonstrate their commitment to the national cause, and its clubhouse quickly became a place to get the latest news from the Southern battlefields.—
Michael Gorra,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new atlas, published March 11 in the scientific journal Cell, details the ways in which genome structure, gene activity and methylation (a biochemical mechanism for regulating gene expression) change across eight brain regions and 36 brain cell types.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As talks continued, Iranian and Omani officials also were working on a mechanism for administrating the strait through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped in peacetime.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And taking small steps to connect with others — even as simple as engaging in idle chitchat with a stranger — can be an impetus for broader change.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Didn’t even know what the impetus was for the saying.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
November 22 – December 21 Sagittarius, your spark finds a stable rhythm.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Sagittarius, your spark finds a stable rhythm.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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