Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

hydrolyze

American  
[hahy-druh-lahyz] / ˈhaɪ drəˌlaɪz /
especially British, hydrolyse

verb (used with or without object)

hydrolyzed, hydrolyzing
  1. to subject or be subjected to hydrolysis.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of hydrolyze

First recorded in 1875–80; hydro(lysis) + -lyze

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.

See Examples For:

"The new species, Ideonella sakaiensis, breaks down the plastic by using two enzymes to hydrolyze PET and a primary reaction intermediate, eventually yielding basic building blocks for growth," the scientists explained.

From Salon Jun. 11, 2022

Peroxisomes hydrolyze fatty acids, amino acids, and some toxins.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Evaluate the connection between the inability of RAS to hydrolyze GTP and uncontrolled cell proliferation.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

This means that the RAS protein can no longer hydrolyze GTP into GDP.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

These materials are so extremely difficult to hydrolyze that their composition has not yet been definitely determined.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

Suspecting a food sensitivity, my vet recommended a prescription kibble made from hydrolyzed protein, which is broken down into components so small that Bingo’s body wouldn’t recognize them as potential allergens.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 28, 2026

For example, GA Foods, a Florida-based vendor of medically supportive food, offers over 50 “nutritionally balanced” meals that contain additives, including corn syrup and other sweeteners, food coloring, flavor additives, hydrolyzed protein and preservatives.

From Washington Post Jan. 8, 2023

When treated with heat, collagen becomes gelatin, and most supplemental collagen has been further broken down — hydrolyzed — into short chains of amino acids called peptides.

From Seattle Times Jan. 2, 2023

It's made from hydrolyzed oats and water that are then mixed with pumpkin purée, natural pumpkin-spice flavor, cane sugar and a sprinkle of sea salt for balance.

From Salon Oct. 6, 2022

“What exactly is partially hydrolyzed caseinate, and why would you put it in food?”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

The best method for preparing pure phosphorous acid is by hydrolyzing phosphorus trichloride:

From Textbooks Feb. 14, 2019

Difficulty is experienced in having them maintain their quality over a protracted period of time, primarily due to the hydrolyzing action of water on the dissolved substances.

From All About Coffee by William H. (William Harrison) Ukers

This is indicated by the fact that when submitted to the action of all known hydrolyzing agents which affect it, it has never been found to yield maltose as one of the products of hydrolysis.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training