as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
rumors about the incident proliferated on the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Solar power proliferated in Indiana last year, despite roadblocks threatening the industry's future in the state.
—
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
New Mexico prosecutors say Meta still should be responsible for its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that is harmful for children.
—Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
New Mexico prosecutors say Meta still should be responsible for its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be harmful for children.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
These concerns are heightened as reports of overcrowding and lack of food in detention centers across the nation have proliferated.
—Eric Westervelt, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proliferate
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
New Mexico prosecutors say Meta still should be responsible for its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that is harmful for children.
—Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
New Mexico prosecutors say Meta still should be responsible for its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be harmful for children.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
These concerns are heightened as reports of overcrowding and lack of food in detention centers across the nation have proliferated.
—Eric Westervelt, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proliferate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate
Verb
-
Farmers had hoped to compensate for last year's losses, when farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row.—
Lana Zak,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The goal is to complete the project ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when traffic and pedestrian activity are expected to increase downtown.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the height of the pandemic — when learning loss was accelerating and reading gaps were widening — the approval process was estimated to take six months to a year.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
In the long term, the supply shock may accelerate nuclear restarts and electric vehicle adoption faster than years of climate policy ever managed.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Airport conditions have become increasingly unpredictable with swelling crowds seen in major hubs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The 82nd, which is based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, could join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as potential ground forces swell into the region.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Kremlin’s economic woes are multiplying with its years-long war, which has added to government debt and dampened business investment.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Videos of the pack making their way along the highway accumulated over 230 million views online, striking a chord with viewers moved by the animals’ loyalty to one another and determination to return to their families.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The rain accumulated on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago.—
Jessica Hill,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proliferate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferate. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
