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 South Dakota has small data centers but none of the large centers, known as hyper-scale, that have proliferated elsewhere. — Des Moines Register, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026 But fantasy sports, an almost quaint precursor to the instantaneous forms of gambling proliferating now, remains hugely prevalent. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Custom carbon calculators are proliferating among independent music businesses and organizations. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 In that conventional view, the International Style (a term MoMA introduced in 1932) proliferated as an instrument of the Cold War, adjusting to local preferences but always faithful to its Franco-German origins. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proliferate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferate

Verb

The incidence of colorectal cancer in particular has increased among younger people in recent years, other studies have found.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
Fall travel is increasing even to destinations in Asia, where the window between September and November is already the peak season.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Profits returned to growth this year, rising 3% to just over $1 trillion, after a 5% decline in 2025.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
The proportion of people older than 65 is rising rapidly, while the working-age population that supports them shrinks.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

In the 1980s some politicians and activists expanded their definitions to include Asian and African groups.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Data center demand meets nuclear power The agreement comes as Google expands its Finnish infrastructure, including its data center in Hamina.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

His fortune has also swelled thanks to gains from his private investment firm DFO Management—which manages his wealth and capital—and invests in public stocks, private companies, real estate, and liquid corporate credit.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
The space suddenly swells with agents, assistants, clients and others shuffling through for lunch.

— Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

Players can also add Power Play for an additional $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Kalshi estimates that Spanish-language use of the app has multiplied by five since the beginning of 2026 and Spanish-speaking users now make up 12% of the platform.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of multiply

Verb

Hassouna and co-editor Denis LePaven pace the chronological patchwork of footage less as a story with a predestined shape, and more as shifting tiles of accumulating losses that the audience can traverse without being too overwhelmed.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
The forces of destruction accumulated through the Second World War.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of proliferate

verb

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