catalyze
verb
cat·a·lyze
ˈka-tə-ˌlīz 
catalyzed; catalyzing
1
: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)
an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of the sugars
2
: bring about, inspire
his vigorous efforts to catalyze us into activity—
Harrison Brown
Harrison Brown3
: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis
innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the field—Newsweek
Newsweek
catalyzer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of catalyze in a Sentence
a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
Not all the funding has been allocated, but the Act has already catalyzed at least $300 billion in private investment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2024
Complex ties with an enigmatic girl and an anthropology student, catalyzed by events, propel him into a life-defining Amazon adventure.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 19 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for catalyze 
IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2024
Complex ties with an enigmatic girl and an anthropology student, catalyzed by events, propel him into a life-defining Amazon adventure.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 19 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for catalyze
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catalyze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near catalyze
Cite this Entry
“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catalyze
verb
cat·a·lyze
ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz
catalyzed; catalyzing
: to bring about or produce by chemical catalysis
Medical Definition
catalyze
transitive verb
cat·a·lyze
variants
or British catalyse
catalyzed or British catalysed; catalyzing or British catalysing
: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)
catalyzer
noun
or British catalyser
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share