Catalyzed

Catalyzed (past participle of catalyze) describes the process of accelerating a chemical reaction by the addition of a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a reaction without being consumed in the process. It lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, thereby enabling it to proceed more quickly or under milder conditions. The term can also be used figuratively to mean to cause or initiate a significant change or event, spurring action or development. This figurative usage highlights the catalyst's role in bringing about transformation or progression, even outside the realm of chemistry.

Catalyzed meaning with examples

• In the laboratory, the chemist catalyzed the reaction by adding a platinum catalyst, resulting in a significantly faster production of the desired product. The catalyst facilitated the breaking and forming of chemical bonds without undergoing permanent change itself, allowing the reaction to reach completion at a pace several times quicker than it otherwise would.
• The discovery of antibiotics catalyzed a revolution in medicine, drastically reducing mortality rates from bacterial infections. Prior to this, even minor infections could be life-threatening. This single advancement, driven by the work of several prominent scientists and their teams, fundamentally changed the way healthcare providers approached disease and patient care.
• The charismatic speaker's powerful words catalyzed a wave of public support for the environmental initiative, motivating citizens to take action. The speech highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis and inspired people to donate, volunteer, and change their behavior to combat the problems affecting our world.
• The economic downturn catalyzed a period of intense innovation in the tech industry, leading to the development of more efficient and cost-effective solutions. Companies were forced to adapt and find new ways to survive. This period of necessity spurred rapid growth of new technology like cloud computing and AI to fill previously unmet market needs.