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Synonyms

catalyze

American  
[kat-l-ahyz] / ˈkæt lˌaɪz /
especially British, catalyse

verb (used with object)

catalyzed, catalyzing
  1. to act upon by catalysis.


catalyze Scientific  
/ kătl-īz′ /
  1. To modify, especially to increase, the rate of a chemical reaction through the action of a catalyst.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of catalyze

First recorded in 1885–90; cataly(sis) + (-i)ze

Vocabulary lists containing catalyze

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Regional mediators, however, remain skeptical that Iran’s updated offer would catalyze a breakthrough.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Beyond selling cars, the hope has been that Lucid will help catalyze a local Saudi EV manufacturing sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“We expect the cadence of AI-related order wins to accelerate and catalyze shares,” Dorsheimer wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Beijing’s “AI Plus” blueprint mandates a nationwide integration of AI to catalyze “new quality productive forces,” targeting a 70% penetration rate across priority sectors by 2027.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

One reason why technology tends to catalyze itself is that advances depend upon previous mastery of simpler problems.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond