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

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 Even though several planetary retrogrades invite us to re-examine the past, this lunation acts as a powerful catalyst to course-correct, adjust perspective, and step onto more solid ground. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Speedy left fielder Chandler Simpson is one of the offensive catalysts. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The structure of using a house with residents from different eras is hardly unique, nor is the catalyst of a death and a legacy. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 For decades, demonstrations and protests, including those led by students, have served as catalysts for institutional change, both politically and socially. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catalyst

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst

Noun

China’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter thanks to the country’s powerful export machine, with domestic consumption still lagging and the authorities showing little interest in fiscal stimulus.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Visual stimuli produced more activity in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

The rise of mail-in balloting has added fuel to both sides of the argument, with supporters of voter ID saying proof of citizenship should be required before a ballot is sent or when someone registers to vote.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
To avoid potential damage during an unplanned landing, planes will sometimes dump fuel or fly longer to burn it off.

— Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fuel

Noun

Better monitoring tools can help farmers identify disease threats earlier and avoid expensive eradication campaigns.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
While federal scientists have created a national model to assess the likelihood of post-fire debris flows, communities don’t have an easily accessible tool to gauge their risk of post-fire flooding.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Peptides tinker with the body’s fundamental mechanisms for growth, healing, and inflammation, which can lead to a cancerous overgrowth of tissue and trigger immune problems in some people.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
The Break Will Not Be Even Once the trigger fires, the productivity break will not distribute evenly across the world.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Noun

Anderson said the man appeared to have died of natural causes and that no foul play was suspected.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brain games, crosswords and math puzzles are often promoted as ways to sharpen memory, but neurologists warn that generic exercises may not address the specific cause of mental fog.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of cause

Noun

Those four companies used no technical mechanism to confirm the speaker’s consent.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
All Googlebooks have a metal chassis, and while most include hinge mechanisms beneath their touchpads, the Lenovo Googlebook has haptic motors beneath the touchpads to simulate the clicking sensation.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanism

Noun

The original impetus for the film, to be honest, was to look at an incredible life story over a long German period.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Another impetus for the merger plans might be the sales struggles Tesla has been experiencing and the vast technological challenges from robotaxi competitors such as Waymo.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

In nearby Eaton Canyon a spark had already become a roaring fire.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Those two words may not be enough to completely paint the picture of the spark Reese provided just a couple of days after their 68-64 loss to the Valkyries in Game 1 on Saturday.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026