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 crystal formation Nanocrystals possess a high surface-area-to-volume ratio and are efficient catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions in applications ranging from vehicle exhaust systems to medical diagnostic tests.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
That would change with railroads and citrus — catalysts in the first of many times residents would reshape the region’s environment.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
The software sector is a new source of positive technical catalysts in both absolute and relative terms, suggesting the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) will build on its recent gains.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 May 2026
The previous two cycles saw TCU sign some of the biggest names in the sports, Hailey Van Lith and Olivia Miles, with both players being catalysts for deep NCAA Tournament runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
David Bailey was one of the catalysts for Texas Tech, winning the Big 12 Championship after its defense finished third in the nation.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
And there are few catalysts on the horizon.
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
With few near-term catalysts and shares at a key technical level that often signals losses, market watchers are warning of more disappointment ahead.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
That would change with railroads and citrus — catalysts in the first of many times residents would reshape the region’s environment.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
The software sector is a new source of positive technical catalysts in both absolute and relative terms, suggesting the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) will build on its recent gains.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 May 2026
The previous two cycles saw TCU sign some of the biggest names in the sports, Hailey Van Lith and Olivia Miles, with both players being catalysts for deep NCAA Tournament runs.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
David Bailey was one of the catalysts for Texas Tech, winning the Big 12 Championship after its defense finished third in the nation.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
And there are few catalysts on the horizon.
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
With few near-term catalysts and shares at a key technical level that often signals losses, market watchers are warning of more disappointment ahead.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalysts
Noun
-
By renewing the memorandum, the ports also agree to continue working to deploy low- and zero-emission fuels and digital solutions for shipping on the trans-Pacific corridor.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
San Francisco and New York City are leading office demand, as AI tech employment rises quickly in the former and diversity of employment fuels the latter.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a further adaptation, the Buddhist Five Precepts were rewritten specifically for the robot, with input reportedly drawn from AI tools including Gemini and ChatGPT.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
While digital tools will remain part of the landscape, Bugenhagen believes there is growing space for models that prioritize human insight and structured guidance.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Export controls, data security laws, and investment screening mechanisms increasingly function as instruments of a broader Chinese economic and geopolitical strategy tied to technology.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As just one example, two people receiving a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may have very different underlying biological mechanisms driving their illness, and very different responses to the same treatment.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Walz also is calling for the Legislature to re-pass a ban on binary triggers, modifications for semiautomatic rifles that fire a shot when the trigger is pulled and again while released, greatly boosting the weapon’s rate of fire.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But those numbers capture only a fraction of deaths, which often are classified only by other, more immediate causes, such as bleeding in the brain.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
-
Six different fixes addressing various causes of texture loss such as black photos, along with additional QV testing on paintings and photos to catch previously unreported cases will also be implemented.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Rethinking the tax code BofA said AI will increase pressure on governments to provide wage insurance, enhanced unemployment benefits, reskilling incentives, and tax reform to ensure the gains from AI don’t concentrate in too few hands.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
-
Provide state incentives for the expansion of private practitioners to take on 20% cliental of low-income, homeless and physically impaired patients to pay zero fees for services rendered.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Registration and renewal costs for noncommercial vehicles — those weighing 8,000 pounds or less — can range from $24 to $140 for a standard Idaho license plate.—
Hali Smith
May 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 May 2026
-
The agreements also take aim at China’s control and manipulation of the global production of heavy rare earths, which are used for making powerful, heat-resistant magnets in industries such as defense and electric vehicles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
With the exception of the punitive visit to the bank, Suzanna’s grandmother does not discuss her daughter’s crime or her reasons for committing it.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The government exists to create the environment where these technologies can help Californians to flourish, not limit them for sometimes political reasons, which is always overreach.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalysts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalysts. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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