catalyze
/ˈkæt.ə.laɪz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make a process start or happen faster. It often means one event, person, or thing causes important change.
- The speech catalyzed a wave of protests.
- Her idea catalyzed change in the company.
- Good leadership can catalyze progress.
Adinary Nuance
Catalyze is stronger and more active than cause. It suggests something triggers change and helps it move quickly. It is also more formal than spark, which is common in everyday speech. In writing, use catalyze when you want a clear sense of acceleration or transformation.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thúc đẩy
- Spanish
- catalizar
- Chinese
- 促进
- Japanese
- 触媒する
- Korean
- 촉매하다
Etymology
Catalyze comes from chemistry. It was formed from Greek katalysis, meaning 'loosening' or 'dissolving.' English began using it in the 19th century.
Common phrases
catalyze changecatalyze growthcatalyze a responsecatalyze innovation
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is catalyze a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in academic, business, and news writing.
- What is the difference between catalyze and cause?
- Cause is broader. Catalyze means to speed up or trigger change.
- Can I use catalyze in everyday English?
- Yes, but it sounds more formal than spark or start.
- What noun comes from catalyze?
- The noun is catalyst.