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 judge cited Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, shooting at police as the catalyst for her death.
—
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
The quest to get Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker hitting like the version who was a catalyst for baseball’s best offense the first three months of the season took another turn Tuesday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
And engaging with it could be the greatest catalyst for human change, much like AI.
—Roman Chiporukha, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
When grounded in spiritual values, this mindset creates a self-sustaining ecosystem of generosity, where hope grows and every challenge becomes a catalyst for deeper impact.
Nonprofits can no longer rely solely on spreadsheets and fundraising targets to sustain their missions.
—Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
The quest to get Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker hitting like the version who was a catalyst for baseball’s best offense the first three months of the season took another turn Tuesday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
And engaging with it could be the greatest catalyst for human change, much like AI.
—Roman Chiporukha, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
When grounded in spiritual values, this mindset creates a self-sustaining ecosystem of generosity, where hope grows and every challenge becomes a catalyst for deeper impact.
Nonprofits can no longer rely solely on spreadsheets and fundraising targets to sustain their missions.
—Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst
Noun
-
Those news stories are confusing the timeline for the older stimulus checks.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Hawley’s news release states that the parameters for the tax rebate would be similar to the stimulus checks issued in 2020 during the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After a full week and an obscene amount of money spent on its fuel bill, here’s why the Blackwing is one of our current era’s greats, and proof that communication and feel can still be found in full-size luxury form.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The Glass Fire’s burn scar has broken up what would have been continuous fuel beds in some areas, according to Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit spokesperson Jason Clay.—
The Press Democrat,
Mercury News,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The divers concluded that without specialized marine salvage tools, like underwater arc cutting equipment that requires additional skills and training to operate, the likelihood of getting inside the ship was remote.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Movement sensors and other tools collect information on body positioning, and put that into the mix, and if someone uses a fitness wearable throughout the day, for example, Whoop, that information can go into the hopper, too.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Simms pulled out a gun and pointed it at Davis before pulling the trigger, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
However, if a team comes calling with an aggressive offer, the Browns might be interested enough to consider pulling the trigger on a Pickett trade.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens, yet Kennedy didn’t even mention gun violence in last spring’s MAHA report.—
Judy Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Paine wrote for common audiences to build a common cause.—
Matthew Redmond
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This complex legal mechanism—which allows the EU to respond to coercion through a broad set of tools, including limiting market access, foreign direct investment, and public procurement—is supposed to allow Brussels to retaliate against allies and adversaries.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Despite a serious grassroots effort to fight this, the protest mechanism was doomed to failure from the start, on multiple levels.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement In New York, part of the impetus for this bail reform was the story of Kalief Browder, a young man in the Bronx who was arrested at age 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
12 Aug. 2025
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When decisions are made by any medical organization with financial interests, the primary impetus of the Oath is lost; the AMA’s control over payment schedules reinforces and exemplifies a corrupt institutional flaw.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While a nozzle malfunction on one of the two solid-rocket boosters sent up a shower of sparks 38 seconds after liftoff, the mission was still deemed a success.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Their offense could use a spark, and a change at catcher could help them.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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