What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Catalyst vs Impetus - What's the difference?

catalyst | impetus |

As nouns the difference between catalyst and impetus

is that catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process while impetus is something that impels, a stimulating factor.

catalyst

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
  • * 1988 , Biochemistry , 3rd edition, page 177
    • Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations.
  • Someone or something that encourages progress or change.
    • Economic development and integration are working as a catalyst for peace.
  • * 1978 , Ernest George Schwiebert, Trout , Volume 2
    • It was a morning baptized by my first cup of coffee, freshly brewed over a gravel-bar fire, while they celebrated with the stronger catalyst of sour-mash whiskey in their fishing-vest cups.
  • * 2004 , Michael B. Oren, Six Days of War: June 1967 and the making of the modern Middle East , page 76
    • Israel's fear for the reactor—rather than Egypt's of it—was the greater catalyst for war.
  • * 2006 , The Freedom Writers, with Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them , Diary 74
    • Rosa Parks was a true catalyst' for change and she was only one person. Hearing about Rosa Parks and her protest showed me that there is hope for me and all the students in Ms. G's classes to truly be ' catalysts for change.
  • * '>citation
  • (literature) An inciting incident which that sets the successive conflict into motion.
  • (automotive) A catalytic converter.

    • Synonyms

    * (Someone or something that encourages progress or change) stimulus, straw that stirs the drink

    Antonyms

    * (something that encourages change) inhibitor * (something that enhances or accelerates) dampener

    Derived terms

    * catalyse, catalyze * catalysis * catalytic

    See also

    * enzyme

    impetus

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • Something that impels, a stimulating factor.
    • The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new impetus to receiver development.
  • * 2011 , Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15195384.stm]
    • In a single moment Montenegro and their supporters were given fresh impetus and encouragement. Beciraj tested Hart with a low shot before teenager Phil Jones, on his England debut, suffered an anxious moment when Stevan Jovetic went down under his challenge, leaving the youngster clearly relieved to see referee Stark wave away Montenegro's appeals.
  • A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse.
  • The force or energy associated with a moving body; a stimulus.
  • An activity in response to a stimulus.

    • Related terms

    * impetuous

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * ----