catalyst
something that precipitates or speeds up an event or change
Word origin: From Greek katalysis, dissolution (kata down plus lyein to loosen).
Catalyst in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing catalyst in a sentence.
The assassination served as the catalyst for a wider war.
The court ruling became the catalyst for sweeping reforms across the industry.
Using “catalyst” well
Outside chemistry, catalyst names something that triggers or accelerates change. The catalyst itself need not be the main force, only the precipitating one.
More GRE words starting with C
a small secret group plotting against a government or authority
having a hidden or mysterious meaning understood only by initiates
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to obtain something by begging or sponging off others
falling off or shed at an early stage, especially of plant parts
to coax someone into doing something through flattery or persuasion
an event causing great damage, loss, or distress
misty, dim, or dark, and therefore obscure
Questions about “catalyst”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.