CATALYST Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

catalyst

noun

Definition of catalyst

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of catalyst The stronger catalyst also demonstrated encouraging durability. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 Rafael Espinal, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, on how New York continues to serve as a massive IRL stage and a catalyst for community, culture and large-scale experiences. — William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 Introducing market forces to the Western defense ecosystem is the critical catalyst that will prepare the United States and its allies for the future of warfare. — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026 Credit Suisse’s anchor investors functioned as liquidity backstops rather than governance catalysts. — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catalyst

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catalyst

Noun

The leaders who are willing to pause between stimulus and response create sustainable change.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Researchers have studied how certain facial and auricular stimuli interact with parasympathetic activity.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

There’s the plush seating area for makeup, hair, and comfortable waiting, of course, but there’s also a bathroom replete with outlets for styling tools and with multiple sinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
This year's prizes began with the Nobel for medicine, awarded Monday to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Would an invasion of Canada trigger Article 5 of the collective defense treaty requiring all members to come to Canada’s rescue?

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
In their latest public statements, British police have indicated there may have been more than one trigger that sparked them into action.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of trigger

Noun

Rappers Lucki and Playboi Carti were seen in videos posted to social media, though the cause of the fight and its participants remain unclear.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of cause

Noun

House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said there could be a homestead exemption or a mechanism that ensures people don’t lose their housing.

— Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Our simplified treatment programs work, and are 20% cheaper than the standard treatment mechanisms; but manual, error-prone data collection holds them back.

— Jeannie Annan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanism

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“Catalyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catalyst. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of catalyst

noun

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