CATALYST Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

catalyst

noun

Definition of catalyst

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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of catalyst These include platinum-group metals found in spent automotive catalysts and potentially critical elements present in mine tailings and other complex waste streams. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 The move to New York was a catalyst for much of the change that was to come for Starr. — Emanuel Okusanya, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 The catalyst for the uproar was the IPC's warning from August 2025 that famine had reached Gaza Governorate. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Sarah Paulson, a mainstay in the court of Murphy whom Roth had known for years through Broadway, was the catalyst for his casting. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catalyst

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst

Noun

The third is to develop novel variations of your stimuli or your benchmark items in order to test robustness and generalization.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
The country on Monday reported disappointing retail sales and industrial production growth for July, fueling hopes for more rate cuts and stimulus.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

The resumption of Saudi exports could help ease tight supply of heavier grades that produce more residue fuel which ⁠can be used to refuel ships or processed further at refineries, to yield higher quality fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

— August 18, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Ukraine has been significantly expanding its long-range strikes deep into Russia in recent months, with prime targets including urban centers, fuel processing facilities, logistics hubs and military sites.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fuel

Noun

Tubes from hospital equipment were still attached to his face, gunshot wounds on his right side were still gaping, and tattoos which included a gun and a bullet casing were still embedded in his skin, a permanent memorial to the tools of his demise.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Their choices were tools that understand their work and keep them in control.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Researchers envision bacteria on plant leaves or roots that detect stress and trigger responses without conventional electronics.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
One possible trigger for bitcoin to break out of its unusually calm trading range could come from the bond market.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of trigger

Noun

The top cause of otherwise-profitable Japanese companies closing, Ooi notes, is not weak demand but a shortage of workers.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
The cause of the fire remains unknown as of publication, per the department, and will be investigated once conditions allow.

— Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of cause

Noun

Booking through this system is the only mechanism that guarantees a transit date for vessels.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
The Athletic has previously detailed the mechanisms of the new rules in some depth but, to refresh, SCR is a financial rule first introduced by UEFA in June 2022, and first operated in the 2023-24 season.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of mechanism

Noun

The Relic chip, of course, is the impetus for the main storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, where V inserts the experimental tech that contains the soul, in effect, of a real person.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The only impetus for any transaction is Berg’s need to comply with league rules for his new job.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026