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 mechanism eliminates the need for corrosive reagents or external catalysts.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Moderna’s second-generation Covid vaccine, approved in 2025, alongside its new flu vaccine regulatory filings could provide additional catalysts for the stock.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The Institute of Museum and Library Services describes museums and libraries as community catalysts that support social well-being through cultural engagement, shared identity and social connection.
—Devon Akmon, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The Institute of Museum and Library Services describes museums and libraries as community catalysts that support social well-being through cultural engagement, shared identity and social connection.
—Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
As the Mavericks rallied from the early deficit, Christie, Davis and Brandon Williams (15 points off the bench) were the offensive catalysts.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Pare is a longtime 'culture-builder' Pare’s presence has been one of the biggest catalysts in the Bobcats' rise to prominence.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
How aviation employees helped end the previous shutdown Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and TSA officers are largely seen as the catalysts for the end of the previous longest shutdown.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
And there are few catalysts on the horizon.
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Moderna’s second-generation Covid vaccine, approved in 2025, alongside its new flu vaccine regulatory filings could provide additional catalysts for the stock.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The Institute of Museum and Library Services describes museums and libraries as community catalysts that support social well-being through cultural engagement, shared identity and social connection.
—Devon Akmon, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The Institute of Museum and Library Services describes museums and libraries as community catalysts that support social well-being through cultural engagement, shared identity and social connection.
—Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
As the Mavericks rallied from the early deficit, Christie, Davis and Brandon Williams (15 points off the bench) were the offensive catalysts.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Pare is a longtime 'culture-builder' Pare’s presence has been one of the biggest catalysts in the Bobcats' rise to prominence.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
How aviation employees helped end the previous shutdown Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and TSA officers are largely seen as the catalysts for the end of the previous longest shutdown.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
And there are few catalysts on the horizon.
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalysts
Noun
-
Plenty of financial and regulatory hurdles still need to be cleared, but a fuels pipeline project that may lead to lower gas prices in San Diego and Southern California has received a healthy amount of interest from other companies.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Venezuela produces the kind of heavy crude oil that’s needed for diesel fuel, asphalt and other fuels for heavy equipment.—
Michelle Chapman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
New data science tools are rapidly improving the speed and accuracy of detecting slight changes.—
Matthew W. Kreuter,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Despite over a century of investigation, there is still no cure, but advances in diagnostic tools, treatments and preventive strategies continue to offer hope for slowing the disease and improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The administration has quietly directed diplomats to press allies on restricting inflows, enhancing deportation mechanisms, and ending policies perceived as favoring migrants over citizens.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
However, these special dogs are fully grown, so the brain mechanisms enabling them to eavesdrop are likely different from those of humans, Dror said.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 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
-
Their official causes of death are still pending further assessments, including toxicology reports.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In still other moments today, local leaders and survivors plan to weigh in on the recovery process and call for accountability over the causes and responses to the blazes.—
David Wilson,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kansas and Missouri have spent the past 18 months trying to secure the team through sweeping stadium-funding incentives packages — which the Chiefs used last month to announce their intentions for a move to Kansas.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The country is largely focused on a self-sufficiency drive to build up its chipmaking capabilities, a push that’s included readying a new round of incentives of as much as $70 billion for the chip sector.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This positions the material as a strong candidate for electric vehicles, aerospace systems, and grid storage operating in extreme cold environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Why Atlas stood out at CES 2026 CNET pointed to Atlas’ humanlike walking ability and refined industrial design as key reasons for the award.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalysts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalysts. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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