PROLIFERATE Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

proliferate

verb

prə-ˈli-fə-ˌrāt

Definition of proliferate

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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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 In the nearly two years since, the species has proliferated statewide, with sightings as far as San Diego and, most recently, at the Port of West Sacramento. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 As surveillance and strike technology proliferate, more communities will become unreachable by traditional means. — Yuriy Boyechko, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Similar calls and texts proliferated throughout Springfield’s Haitian community, triggering a tsunami of fear, panic and confusion, said Viles Dorsainvil, director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 30 June 2026 Satellite dishes proliferated on the rooftops of scam centers in Myanmar, satellite imagery showed, and Starlink usage in Myanmar surged, according to APNIC data. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for proliferate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate

Verb

In recent months, drone sightings in Nikopol have increased from two or three per day to about three every hour, day and night, Varytsev says.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Homelessness after incarceration increases the chances that someone will end up back behind bars, at a steep cost to taxpayers.

— Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Officials said the warning systems built since last year’s catastrophic floods were activated in Kerr County in the early hours before water levels began to rise, allowing for people to react quickly to flooding threats.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
On linear television, the series is up +62% among adults 18-49, +26% among adults 25-54 and +30% in total viewers, with P2+ viewing across VOD platforms rising +44% within seven days of airing.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 July 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Engineers believe exposing robots to everyday activities such as cooking will accelerate their development for applications beyond manufacturing, including hospitality, retail, healthcare, and domestic assistance.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
This transformation is not the product of any single administration, although recent political polarization has accelerated it.

— John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

The Office of the State Auditor maintained that its interest in a Midland site was based on expanding geographic access to early voting, not dictating the county’s final plan.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Although revenues have expanded substantially, income needs to continue growing rapidly for Newcastle to sustain a higher salary base and regularly sign the best players.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

As the market continues to swell, and the clinical category starts to get a little crowded, Neutrogena knows the race to be the first to new ingredients is essential in maintaining its heritage as a leading brand.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
His eyes had bags under them, and his face was swollen from training for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

— Max Marshall, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

The group’s mission to reunite people with their treasures and, in some cases, to offer a semblance of closure was also multiplied beyond the Facebook effort.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
For a decision-maker watching agent pilots multiply across departments, this is where cost, access and audit either get governed or get out of hand.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of multiply

Verb

What happens when interconnected debt starts accumulating faster than human understanding can keep pace?

— Doug Shannon, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Research indicates that, as apex predators, sharks accumulate high levels of heavy metals — including arsenic, mercury and lead — in their blood and tissues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of accumulate

Browse Nearby Words

proletariat

proliferate

proliferated

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“Proliferate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferate. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of proliferate

verb

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