proliferate

verb

prə-ˈli-fə-ˌrāt How to pronounce proliferate (audio)
Definition of proliferatenext
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number rumors about the incident proliferated on the Internet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of proliferate Because whenever the topic of Orange County’s ever-filling green spring of bed-tax money is discussed, shenanigans seem to proliferate. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Chmerkovskiy quickly took down the offending TikTok, but not before fan screenshots proliferated and Inaba got wind of it. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 It was usually made with gin, but Fizz variations proliferated throughout every spirit and style. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 Chinese entities have applied for licenses for hundreds of thousands of communications satellites, and Chinese space companies are proliferating. — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proliferate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate
  1. increase
  2. rise
  3. accelerate
  4. expand
  5. swell
  6. multiply
  7. accumulate
Verb
  • Kim Hong-Cheol, the South Korean military official, said leaving the dispute over the military demarcation line unresolved would increase the risk of accidental clashes because troops from both sides act on their own understanding of the line.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As rain chances increase overnight, the temperature will drop to 40 degrees.
    — Hali Smith October 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • That comes against a backdrop of rising borrowing costs globally.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The investment forms part of a broader plan to spend $8 billion to $9 billion through 2030 to meet rising demand for munitions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • The car can accelerate from zero-60 in less than a second and perform feats that once belonged in science fiction.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The company says the changes are intended to make electric vehicles more affordable while accelerating development and manufacturing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • An interceptor that can engage targets at greater distances could expand the area protected by existing air defense units.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Founded by three childhood friends, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, and Romée de Gorianoff, who were later joined by Xavier Padovani, the Experimental Group gradually expanded to encompass wine bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Then the shuttle appears on screen, the music swells and the room shakes with the tearing, rumbling force of a launch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The team said Tuesday morning that two-time defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard will be re-evaluated in a week due to swelling in his left knee.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • This multiplied the number of active catalyst sites across the material.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In microbiology, a colonizer is an organism that multiplies without causing symptoms, immune responses or disease.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of multiply
Verb
  • Rocks and plants The first method measures beryllium-10, an isotope that accumulates in the top few centimeters of rock that is exposed to the sky.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Research has demonstrated the importance of initiating appropriate treatment early in the course of disease, before neurological damage accumulates.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of accumulate

Browse Nearby Words

proletariat
proliferate
proliferated
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Cite this Entry

“Proliferate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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