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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catalyst Heiko Nix, Siemens’ Global Head of Cash Management and Payments, describes technology as a catalyst for reinventing payments, not merely improving treasury processes. — Andreas Schweitzer, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Related Stories While these battles have been brewing for some time, two recent reports released this week have served as catalysts for the current situation. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 Re-creating the Book Cover for Fans The scene illustrated on the cover of Hazelwood’s novel—Olive and Adam’s first kiss—is the catalyst for everything that happens in the story and was shot multiple times from different angles. — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026 Olive and Anh’s deep friendship serves as the catalyst for Hazelwood’s novel. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catalyst

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst

Noun

Consequently, the resulting economic stimulus, inflationary pressure, and intense competition for capital could propel the 10 year US Treasury yield toward a high of 6% before next January.

— , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Scientists are beginning to treat gravity almost like a drug, varying its strength, duration, and frequency on the human body to learn what dose might keep astronauts healthy and whether the same stimulus could help rehabilitate patients on Earth.

— Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

International travel demand has held up despite surging fuel prices, airline executives have said.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
The agency also said that while new fuel-efficient vehicles cost more up front, savings on gasoline over the lifetime of the car or truck would more than make up for that.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of fuel

Noun

Much like an engine compresses fuel before ignition, FLARE first assembles the fuel to high density before delivering a separate, rapid burst of energy to trigger fusion.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Electrolyte disturbances during unsupervised fasts can destabilize the heart and trigger arrhythmias.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of trigger

Noun

In other words, the membrane isn’t simply a dense metal barrier; its ability to temporarily absorb hydrogen is what makes the transport mechanism work.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
In order to set off a bioweapon, for example, AI models (without people) would somehow have to access sensitive and highly restricted material, enter incredibly sophisticated laboratories, operate this equipment, and determine mechanisms of release.

— Rumman Chowdhury, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of mechanism

Noun

The stadium announcer can be heard telling fans about some sort of promotion, so that might have been the impetus for Kelce’s Big Mac pep talk.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
The original impetus for quantum cosmology is to do with the fact that the Big Bang model is based on quantum matter, but classical gravity.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Everybody brought out the same spark in each other that a magazine like Image makes space for celebrating.

— Ashley SP, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
No matter how big the Hollywood buzz gets, Painter remains fiercely grounded in the simple spark that started it all.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of spark

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“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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