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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 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

Instead, Beijing rolled out a roughly $586 billion stimulus—equivalent to around 12 percent of China’s GDP in 2008—funneled almost entirely into infrastructure and construction.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
The gloves must be applied directly to someone's skin to deliver a pain stimulus that typically helps an officer gain compliance within seconds, according to the company.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 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

Some shops with specific scan tools that have special programming functions can permanently shut off the start/stop system on certain vehicles.

— John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Electronic medical record tools that will summarize a patient’s hospital course for you.

— Natasha Chida, Time, 15 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

But for the iconoclastic Coppola, a desire to work with an up-and-coming actor, who his friends Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese had discovered and was not yet a star, became the other key impetus to make the film.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Despite Villa reaching their zenith under Emery in May, there was a growing argument to undergo a stable transitional phase, providing youthful impetus and appearing proactive, rather than reactive, in lowering the age of the squad.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026