catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈka-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce catalyze (audio)
catalyzed; catalyzing

transitive verb

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 activityHarrison Brown
3
: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis
innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the fieldNewsweek
catalyzer noun

Examples of catalyze in a Sentence

a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
An innocent conversation may catalyze a spiritual healing experience. Usa Today, USA Today, 19 July 2025 For Binance, this could catalyze a new wave of altcoin experimentation—not just on BNB Chain, but ecosystem-wide. Alice Liu, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 But a relatively short time after its creation, the complexity and expense of maintaining the wall catalyzed the band’s first serious brush with burnout—and, Anderson argues, played a factor in its hiatus. John Hendrickson, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025 The flip-flop’s stylish resurgence has been years in the making, catalyzed mainly by The Row’s reimagining that recast the once-divisive shoe through a sleek, minimalist lens. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for catalyze

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalyze was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

catalyze

verb
cat·​a·​lyze ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce catalyze (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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