as in stimulus
something that arouses action or activity
Her expulsion from the university proved to be a catalyst for needed change.
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Recent Examples of catalyst
David Bailey was one of the catalysts for Texas Tech, winning the Big 12 Championship after its defense finished third in the nation.
—
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad’s security forces.
—Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad's security forces.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Other positive catalysts include an upcoming investor day.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad’s security forces.
—Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad's security forces.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Other positive catalysts include an upcoming investor day.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catalyst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst
Noun
-
Beginning with the stimulus of a cup or two of strong coffee, fifteen-year-old Columbia College sophomore George Templeton Strong started a diary in 1835.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The project aims to produce materials that change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external light stimuli.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Steeper gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices are making driving and air travel more expensive.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Dahm has a good idea of what’s going wrong, with boost creep from the internal wastegate causing sudden spikes up to 22 psi that appear to be blowing fuel into the oil catch can.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That would mark the first withdrawal under this tool since February 2025, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the operation plan released late on Friday.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Leavitt is still more a collection of tools than a finished product right now, but those tools have first-round upside, to be sure.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, among others, may all be waiting until next year to pull the trigger on a QB.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For whatever reason, the man didn’t pull the trigger and the Honda drove away.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Initially treated as a death by natural causes, the case was later ruled a homicide after an undertaker noticed a knife wound on the back of her neck.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This Oxo spinner remains one of the most reliable options, with a smooth pump mechanism and sturdy construction that holds up better than most.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The freebie was the likely impetus for the big increase in attendance, but Murakami’s slugging surely convinced some fans to come check out the scene on the South Side on a sunny but cool afternoon.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After a brief interruption due to bad light, Josh Clarkson's late impetus guided New Zealand to a challenging total.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pau Cubarsi was back to his best, as was Pedri, who appeared to have lost some of his characteristic spark in recent matches following his return from a hamstring injury.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Chip Kelly will try to bring some spark to Northwestern’s long-struggling offense as coordinator.—
Eric Olson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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