as in increased
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 proliferated
And content from influencers promoting a sober lifestyle have proliferated on social media.
—
Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Which is why reports recently proliferated online that Erdogan has intervened to prevent the outside Kurds from supplying arms to the Iranian Kurds.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
When journals proliferated during the Cold War spike in science funding, this practice first became widespread.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
This scam, according to Kent, could be proliferated with the use of AI, which can allow swindlers to enroll in many different college programs at once.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
As the number of private nursing programs proliferated, Florida students’ overall passage rate on that test cratered.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead, tax enforcement has been starved, and large-scale cheating has proliferated.
—Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The new product enters a crowded market for towable camera rigs, which have proliferated outside big box stores, strip malls and construction sites since the pandemic.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Dials and buttons have really proliferated since then.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Which is why reports recently proliferated online that Erdogan has intervened to prevent the outside Kurds from supplying arms to the Iranian Kurds.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
When journals proliferated during the Cold War spike in science funding, this practice first became widespread.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
This scam, according to Kent, could be proliferated with the use of AI, which can allow swindlers to enroll in many different college programs at once.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
As the number of private nursing programs proliferated, Florida students’ overall passage rate on that test cratered.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead, tax enforcement has been starved, and large-scale cheating has proliferated.
—Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The new product enters a crowded market for towable camera rigs, which have proliferated outside big box stores, strip malls and construction sites since the pandemic.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Dials and buttons have really proliferated since then.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferated
Verb
-
That figure is used to determine the league’s cut, which for all local TV deals has since increased from 34% to 48%.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the average new car payment has increased by $300, or more than 35%, since then to $769.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Haynam’s lawsuit came as scrutiny of Kersten’s leadership swelled in the wake of the Dexter Reed shooting in March 2024.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The scandal swelled after British media reported a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which the veteran Labour politician expressed support for his friend, despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Missouri Automobile Dealers Association CEO Doug Smith said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the move to online car shopping and pushed dealers to offer home delivery of vehicles and other perks aimed at making things faster and easier for consumers.—
Summer Ballentine,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But talks accelerated after the Rays re-engaged in the middle of last week.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their co-parenting dynamic has expanded now that the supermodel, 45, welcomed a baby boy with husband Joaquim Valente in early 2025.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That seems to be the strategy at Bote, a Floridian inflatable watercraft company that's expanded out into inflatable lounge wares, including on-water hammocks, portable furniture and, now, sunshades.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Eagle numbers rose significantly first in the 1990s, then continued to increase.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Alcoholic Sparkling Wines For Valentine’s Day Do Epic Sh*t sparkling wine now comes in a 'pretty in pink' rose as well, available at the end of January 2026.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That magnified and multiplied and went up and up and up and up from there.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The award can be multiplied for each Olympics an athlete competes in.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proliferated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferated. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
