as in fuels
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 catalysts
The analyst noted additional catalysts from the company’s earnings call, including newer opportunities in currently untapped markets.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
There are catalysts for this new energy in the younger musicians Beltran brought in to contribute to the album.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Platinum catalysts represent about 45% of the total cost of a fuel cell stack.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Demand for Nike grew by 27 percent compared to third quarter 2024, with low-top core models and the second collection from its Skims collaboration as the primary catalysts.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
If historical trends continue, forthcoming catalysts may elevate Apple shares to new significant peaks, benefiting investors who identify these momentum opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Indian stocks are on track for their worst start to a year in a decade, piling pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to deliver fresh catalysts for economic growth in the upcoming budget.
—Ashutosh Joshi, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
But activist presence is one of the top catalysts for M&A.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The death of Costa Mesa Fire Captain Mike Kreza in 2018 was one of the catalysts for the city’s lawsuit.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
There are catalysts for this new energy in the younger musicians Beltran brought in to contribute to the album.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Platinum catalysts represent about 45% of the total cost of a fuel cell stack.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Demand for Nike grew by 27 percent compared to third quarter 2024, with low-top core models and the second collection from its Skims collaboration as the primary catalysts.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
If historical trends continue, forthcoming catalysts may elevate Apple shares to new significant peaks, benefiting investors who identify these momentum opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Indian stocks are on track for their worst start to a year in a decade, piling pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to deliver fresh catalysts for economic growth in the upcoming budget.
—Ashutosh Joshi, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
But activist presence is one of the top catalysts for M&A.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The death of Costa Mesa Fire Captain Mike Kreza in 2018 was one of the catalysts for the city’s lawsuit.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalysts
Noun
-
The pressure to produce an Instagram-worthy evening may be part of what fuels Valentine’s stress.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The company said it's worked years to develop a process to reduce the renewable fuels’ carbon footprint to zero, which includes technology that cuts its energy use when making ethanol.—
Donnelle Eller,
Des Moines Register,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An organization that tests AI models called Model Evaluation and Threat Research found in July that developers take 19% longer to work on their code when using AI, although that research was based on tools from early 2025.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Another worry is that if AI succeeds in creating tools to do complicated tasks more cheaply, companies in industries as far flung as software and legal services and trucking logistics could see their businesses get undercut.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These mechanisms can create new effector genes that enable pathogens to infect and colonize a host plant.—
Lily Peck,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Weight Control More research is needed, but one systematic review found that ginger may help promote weight loss through various mechanisms.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Binary triggers allow a semiautomatic weapon to fire both when the trigger is pulled and released, increasing its rate of fire.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This combination of an unstable base below a thick layer of unconsolidated fresh snow is one of the most dangerous causes of snow avalanches in the mountains, Swain says.—
Tom Metcalfe,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The city said some of the causes for high bills are things like a running toilet , leaking faucets, Refrigerator/ice-maker line leak, washing machine hose leaks , irrigation leaks , pool filling, and pressure washing.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The new contract was richer, filled with all sorts of incentives … and also for a very long time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
To be eligible for the Spirit Awards, a movie's budget cannot exceed $30 million after tax incentives.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If adopted more widely, the TRV-150 could support frontline troops without adding vehicles to crowded road networks.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The vehicles were often used as taxis or for freelance businesses.—
Precious Adesina,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Every nation, every culture, really has its own reasons for commemorating the past.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Denver officials cited national media attention and tourism in Green Mountain Falls as reasons for downtown Denver to embrace the sculptures.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalysts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalysts. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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