catalyst

[kat-l-ist] / ˈkæt l ɪst /

NOUN

something which incites activity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impetus incentive motivation stimulant

STRONG

adjuvant agitator enzyme goad impulse incendiary incitation incitement reactant reactionary spur synergist

WEAK

radical stimulus spark plug wave maker

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block hindrance

WEAK

blockage preventer prevention

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.

A decisive breakdown would be a bearish catalyst supporting a deeper correction in the months ahead, targeting long-term trendline support near $264.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

I like to mention there is no reason to catch a falling knife until a catalyst presents itself.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

AI advances provided the catalyst that ignited Palantir’s stock.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Marl-Brock had been telling others and that was "the catalyst" for what happened later.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Perhaps there is some special inorganic, nonliving catalyst in the soil that is able to fix atmospheric gases and convert them into organic molecules.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Vocabulary lists containing catalyst

Break It Down: Cata

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This Week in Words: March 3 – 9, 2018

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Chemistry - Introductory

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