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
In Tehran, where the minimum wage sits just above 200 million rials a month, the daily struggle for basic sustenance has become a catalyst for revolt.
—
Liram Koblentz-Stenzler, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The catalyst is a nutrient broth at 122 °F (50 °C).
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
The core of the discovery is a new super catalyst that helps the process.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
The previous two cycles saw TCU sign some of the biggest names in the sports, Hailey Van Lith and Olivia Miles, with both players being catalysts for deep NCAA Tournament runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Liram Koblentz-Stenzler, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The catalyst is a nutrient broth at 122 °F (50 °C).
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
The core of the discovery is a new super catalyst that helps the process.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
The previous two cycles saw TCU sign some of the biggest names in the sports, Hailey Van Lith and Olivia Miles, with both players being catalysts for deep NCAA Tournament runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst
Noun
-
Higher-income households cut back more on their gas consumption four years ago than in March, while poorer households likely benefited more from government stimulus programs in 2022.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Heightened uncertainty impacts the labor market with a lag, and the fiscal stimulus from higher refunds will eventually wane, particularly as gas prices remain elevated.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Multiple spills — including the 1997 Torch/Platform Irene spill, the 2007 San Francisco Bay Cosco Busan bunker fuel spill, and the 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline leak — have reinforced California’s argument that expanded drilling and aging pipelines pose ongoing environmental risks.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Beyond core transportation infrastructure, some states also rely on revenues from fuel taxes to fund education, environmental initiatives and other public programs.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The proposal also requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the month-long period – arguably one of Iran’s strongest tools of leverage against the United States in the ongoing war.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Gray stone, wooden beams, iron tools.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
That became the trigger for his preparation.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Those bubbles would block blood vessels, stretch and tear tissue, and trigger clotting and inflammation.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
These tubes are the cause of the frequent delays in the 200,000 daily trips made under the Hudson.—
Tom Wright,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Persistent leaks or damp areas Leaks are one of the most common causes of household mold.—
Ryan Brennan
May 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The heartbreaking and ironic thing is that democracy has given rise, through the proper, right voting mechanism, to this kind of totalitarian regime.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Now Valenta hopes the ongoing research helps clarify the exact mechanisms by which fandom leads to people having stronger social bonds.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
So that put a big spark in there.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
11 May 2026
-
And the Ducks’ power play, so lethal in the team’s first-round win over Edmonton and so ineffective in the first three games of this series, finally found a spark, scoring goals in each of the first two periods.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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