Meaning & use

catalyze

verb·Advanced

To cause or speed up a process, change, or reaction, especially by acting as a trigger.

See it in a sentence

The scandal catalyzed widespread reforms across the entire industry within just a few months.

A small enzyme can catalyze reactions that would otherwise take far too long.

A note on using this word

Catalyze comes from chemistry, where a catalyst speeds up a reaction without being consumed by it.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

hinderimpede

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “catalyze”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.