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

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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 Trump’s laudatory comments come as bipartisan angst over the technology crests, alarming AI incidents proliferate, and global governments call for policy cooperation. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 As a result, no single authority can set priorities or quickly mobilize resources, and criminal organizations have proliferated in the bureaucracy’s seams. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026 The fact that the Gere/gerbil malarkey survived for decades is evidence that celebrity gossip doesn’t need much proof to proliferate. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 With few regulations, hundreds of new private and microschools have proliferated. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proliferate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate

Verb

Contributions would increase depending on family size, with a family of four expected to pay $500,000, officials said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Europe in particular appears vulnerable to increasing borrowing costs, with inflation in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain all exceeding analysts’ expectations.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Inflation in India has been rising for 10 straight months, while economic growth has remained strong despite external challenges.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Regulatory concerns began to rise, with growing uncertainty that Netflix would be able to close its deal in short order.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

The same architecture can now support another round of measurements from orbit as the constellation expands.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The episode ultimately reunites Constance with two of her children, Tate and Adelaide (Jamie Brewer), as the season continues to expand its connections to the show’s earlier installments.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

In the early 2000s, the city authorities stopped the culling of baboon troops in response to public pressure, but that has since swollen the population by a third – to around 500.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

Cameras multiplied the audience onto the massive display, effectively making it all about the fans before dropping them into increasingly dark and elaborate worlds.

— Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
And then take that same mindset and multiply it by millions of people.

— Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of multiply

Verb

Instead, overtones accumulate and churn and a loose banner of guitar is draped across the song.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Because microorganisms in water turn regular mercury into methylmercury, a toxic chemical form that binds tightly to fish tissue, the heavy metal accumulates to higher levels in aquatic animals.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of proliferate

verb

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