What is the opposite of “catalyst”?

What is the antonym of “catalyst”?

The antonyms of catalyst are inhibitor and obstacle. The antonyms inhibitor and obstacle convey a negative or hindering effect. They imply something that prevents or slows down a process or reaction.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

inhibitor

A substance or factor that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction or process.

Example

The presence of an inhibitor in the reaction mixture slowed down the rate of the reaction.

obstacle

Something that blocks or hinders progress or movement.

Example

The heavy traffic on the highway was a major obstacle to reaching the airport on time.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Inhibitor is a term used in chemistry to describe a substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction or process.
• 2. Obstacle is a more general term that describes anything that blocks or hinders progress or movement.

Good things to know

• 1. Science: Use inhibitor to describe substances that slow down or prevent chemical reactions.
• 2. Daily Life: Use obstacle to describe anything that blocks or hinders progress or movement.
• 3. Problem Solving: Use catalyst to describe something that speeds up or enhances a process or reaction, and use inhibitor or obstacle to describe things that slow down or prevent it.

📌

Remember this!

The antonyms of catalyst are inhibitor and obstacle. Inhibitor is a term used in chemistry to describe a substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction or process, while obstacle is a more general term that describes anything that blocks or hinders progress or movement. Use these words in science, daily life, and problem-solving contexts to describe processes and obstacles.