Here's why:
* Catalyst: A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
* Inhibitor: An inhibitor is a substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction.
Therefore, a negative catalyst would actually be an inhibitor because it slows down the reaction rate.
It's important to note: The term "negative catalyst" is not a standard term in chemistry. While it is sometimes used colloquially to refer to a substance that slows down a reaction, it is more precise to use the term "inhibitor" to avoid confusion.