CATALYSTS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

catalysts

noun

plural of catalyst

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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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 catalysts But Mizuho echoes JPMorgan's positive view, choosing Walmart as a top pick in late July, and repeating an overweight investment opinion, citing improvements in its delivery network amomng other catalysts. — Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 These atomic pairs selectively remove only the hydrogen atoms needed to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde while suppressing the deactivation pathways seen in comparable platinum-silver and chromium-silver catalysts. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026 Those who are dissatisfied with the way things are are catalysts in the making of a better world. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 Leaders who embrace humility often find that difficult conversations become catalysts for stronger relationships and innovation. — Sally Percy, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Profound internal shifts act as catalysts for bold moves in the outer world. — Usa Today, USA Today, 27 July 2026 Cities around the world have often used mega-events as catalysts for redevelopment. — Jeffrey Bennett, Time, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalysts

Noun

In a Friday night briefing, Ryan Swanson, a fire behavior analyst, said that the dead fuels – from fine grasses to heavy logs – were the driest in 21 years, and the driest of the season so far.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Fire crews were warned Friday morning that there would be erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures as well as potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of fuels

Noun

Cheap power and an open-weight strategy are real Chinese advantages; American cloud infrastructure and coding tools remain a deeper moat.

— Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
While Wyscout is the industry leader for video scouting tools in football, Eyeball has, since forming in 2020, established itself as the youth football equivalent across the globe.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of tools

Noun

The region already possesses satellites, weather observations, sophisticated climate models, and regional monitoring mechanisms.

— Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
One of the first things the team wants to examine now is whether the memories are relevant for tracking very turbulent plumes in living flies or are in fact replaced by other mechanisms when things calm down, as their model suggested.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of mechanisms

Noun

Without tackling these root causes, the risk of future terrorist attacks will remain.

— Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Leading medical groups, scientists, and autism patient advocacy groups have strongly rejected any continued pursuit of the disproven link, seeing it as fearmongering and a waste of precious time and resources to find real causes and treatments.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of causes

Noun

Ackman’s approach to retention goes beyond financial incentives.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
In order to convince people to replace solo driving with mass transit, LA Metro is offering cash incentives for people to park at least one of their cars at home and try walking, bike share, carpooling or taking a train or bus.

— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentives

Noun

Then Cox-Rosen found another jam on I-75 southbound at the South 120 Loop (Exit 263), where four or five vehicles and a box truck tangled.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Also in the parade ranks were new uncrewed submersible vehicles – underwater drones, stealthy in their own right, that could pose a threat to any of Beijing’s adversaries.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of vehicles

Noun

From environmental factors to watering and fertilizing regimens, here are some of the most common reasons why crepe myrtles don’t flower and what to do about it.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Deals like this appear because people buy on impulse, then quickly lose interest for various reasons.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasons

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catalyst

catalysts

catalyze

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“Catalysts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalysts. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of catalysts

noun

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