as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
rumors about the incident proliferated on the Internet
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Recent Examples of proliferate
In December, 2021, the F.D.A. had lifted its requirement that mifepristone be prescribed in person; the number of virtual clinics, which assess a patient’s eligibility online or by phone, and mail out the medications, proliferated.
—
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Misinformation about this — which proliferated after the 2020 election — has led to calls for limits to the counting of mail ballots.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
That tech, and Moment’s contributions to the EV Bronco, will eventually proliferate through the rest of the models in Icon’s lineup.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
These are the times during the economic cycle when layoffs rise, businesses struggle and bankruptcies proliferate.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proliferate
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Misinformation about this — which proliferated after the 2020 election — has led to calls for limits to the counting of mail ballots.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
That tech, and Moment’s contributions to the EV Bronco, will eventually proliferate through the rest of the models in Icon’s lineup.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
These are the times during the economic cycle when layoffs rise, businesses struggle and bankruptcies proliferate.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proliferate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate
Verb
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Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA), the filing threshold was increased to $11,580,000 in 2020, and $11,700,000 in 2021 and is adjusted for inflation thereafter through 2025.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
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If sea levels continue to rise, urban areas may have to consider taking drastic action to prevent flooding and other disruption to city life.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
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Strong floral aromatics as well as aromas of marshmallows, candy cane, Tunisian rose and buttered toast in this wine with 12.8 percent alcohol.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Currently, a shift in technology and user behavior might accelerate the conclusion of the agreement.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Witnesses told police the SUV appeared to accelerate directly at the family.—
Bethany Brown,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Known for its extreme violence, the group has expanded into Central America and various regions in the U.S. Law enforcement agencies have linked MS-13 to numerous violent crimes including murder, human trafficking, extortion, and drug distribution.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
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Wave has since expanded its family of petunias with brands such as Tidal Wave, Easy Wave, and Shock Wave.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2025
Verb
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With just roughly 20,000 year-rounders, the island’s population swells in the summer.—
Lee Cobaj,
Robb Report,
1 May 2025
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That number has since swelled to 19, the latest being Eugenio Suárez, who belted four over the fence for the Diamondbacks last Saturday.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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During that period, ASU’s research expenditures multiplied nearly fivefold, earning membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) in 2023.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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These approaches rely on mathematical functions like squaring, adding, or multiplying, rather than irrational numbers, radicals, or functions like sine and cosine.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Evidence is also accumulating that the microplastic bits now found everywhere in our environment – from Antarctica to the Amazon – are invading our bodies and have been implicated in everything from heart disease to infertility.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Over time, lint and debris accumulate in the hose, blocking airflow and, worse, becoming a fire hazard, so cleaning the vent out regularly is essential.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Since then, Israel has announced a plan to intensify its war on Gaza.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
9 May 2025
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At the same time, customer acquisition costs are climbing, lifetime value is shrinking and the competitive landscape is intensifying.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proliferate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferate. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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