SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
catalyst
noun
Something that brings about or accelerates a change.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
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A useful distinction
Alternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
Something that brings about or accelerates a change
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
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Usage distinction
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CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See catalyst in use
The exhibition became a catalyst for the neighborhood's revival.
A single question acted as a catalyst for the debate.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license