1
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
a large proliferation in the number of electrical appliances was placing enormous demands upon the region's power supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accumulation
the act or process of becoming greater in number
the proliferation of mistakes as both actors and crew became more and more tired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of proliferation
All the entrances were reopened after being bombed shut, the support area by the entrance was mostly rebuilt and some tunnels are now open, according to a CNN analysis and Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies (CNS).
—
Farida Elsebai, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The city of Malibu sued the state and the city and county of Los Angeles and other entities on Wednesday, accusing them of various failures that led to the start and proliferation of the Palisades fire that destroyed hundreds of Malibu homes along with municipal facilities and infrastructure.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
For starters, nuclear proliferation is an extremely expensive enterprise.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
And with the proliferation of small presses and the ascendance of self publishing as viable, if less expeditious or prestigious strategies for writers, even the indifference of mainstream publishers is not always the final word.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Talk of existential risk and humanity’s potential extinction was once reserved for the specter of runaway nuclear proliferation during the Cold War, when great powers stockpiled weapons out of fear that rivals would surpass them.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Marc Lorber, a former Lionsgate executive who is now a freelance co-production supremo, agrees that producers and the people weaving the financing packages together want a proliferation of choice.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
This frenzy has led to the proliferation of rumors and unverified information reported as facts.
—Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
In Reality Check, Whitney Thompson (cycle 10) and Bre Scullark (cycle five) recalled the proliferation of eating disorders on set, where some contestants skipped meals ahead of photoshoots and challenges.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 16 Feb. 2026
Farida Elsebai, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
The city of Malibu sued the state and the city and county of Los Angeles and other entities on Wednesday, accusing them of various failures that led to the start and proliferation of the Palisades fire that destroyed hundreds of Malibu homes along with municipal facilities and infrastructure.
—City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
For starters, nuclear proliferation is an extremely expensive enterprise.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
And with the proliferation of small presses and the ascendance of self publishing as viable, if less expeditious or prestigious strategies for writers, even the indifference of mainstream publishers is not always the final word.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Talk of existential risk and humanity’s potential extinction was once reserved for the specter of runaway nuclear proliferation during the Cold War, when great powers stockpiled weapons out of fear that rivals would surpass them.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Marc Lorber, a former Lionsgate executive who is now a freelance co-production supremo, agrees that producers and the people weaving the financing packages together want a proliferation of choice.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
This frenzy has led to the proliferation of rumors and unverified information reported as facts.
—Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
In Reality Check, Whitney Thompson (cycle 10) and Bre Scullark (cycle five) recalled the proliferation of eating disorders on set, where some contestants skipped meals ahead of photoshoots and challenges.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferation
Noun
-
Infections during pregnancy also pose severe risks for mothers who are not vaccinated or immune, including miscarriage and a tenfold increase in death due to pneumonia.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
An average increase of 26 minutes of sleep per night.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The National Weather Service predicts total snow accumulations between 14 and 18 inches, with blizzard conditions possible.—
Katie Landeck,
The Providence Journal,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The government office of the Tyrol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 5 feet.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Los Angeles County, a December UC Berkeley report found 167 preschools closed between 2020 and 2024 — a decline in child care spots that researchers attributed partly to the addition of the public school grade.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Padres’ latest addition to the starting rotation competition is an old nemesis who has fallen on hard times.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But that boost also didn’t last long – 2025 was marked mostly by Russia’s slow, grinding offensive along the 1,200-kilometer-long frontline.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Beans and peas planted as companion plants for peppers can give your plants a nutrient boost and promote more vigorous growth.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All of our bank stocks, at least, remained above the fray and finished the week higher, led by a 2% gain for Wells Fargo .—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
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But a defeat at home to the lowly Eagles (9-18, 2-12) would have canceled out much of Tuesday’s gain in status.—
Randy Jennings,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The rise has been especially stark in cities that have been roiled by enforcement surges and protests.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Kwon argues that the proxy for that speculation is the rise in options trading, as opposed to traditional buy-hold-sell retail investor behavior.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proliferation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferation. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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