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
Examples of catalyze in a Sentence
a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country
Recent Examples on the Web
An immediate wave of a hundred schools catalyzed a massive collective statement of defiance of such intrusion into campus life.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
After years of work in the Ways and Means Committee and months of intense debate across both the House and the Senate, this bill will catalyze President Trump's plan to energize our economy and get our country back on track.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
The creation of an electric vehicle industry catalyzed the emergence of an advanced electrification supply chain, including batteries, permanent magnets, and energy storage.
—Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Clearly, policy is catalyzing development, but primarily on a smaller scale.
—Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
After years of work in the Ways and Means Committee and months of intense debate across both the House and the Senate, this bill will catalyze President Trump's plan to energize our economy and get our country back on track.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
The creation of an electric vehicle industry catalyzed the emergence of an advanced electrification supply chain, including batteries, permanent magnets, and energy storage.
—Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Clearly, policy is catalyzing development, but primarily on a smaller scale.
—Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalyze
Cite this Entry
“Catalyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalyze. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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
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