proliferation

noun

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

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 proliferation But the alternative is the mass proliferation of dangerous tools that wreak havoc—for example, AI models that can design novel biological weapons for which no treatment would exist. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 But the dominance of that industry also leads to a proliferation of low-wage jobs keeping hotels clean, restaurants humming and theme parks bustling. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Without verifiable identifiers, organizations risk a proliferation of unauthenticated agents, fragmented brand presence and diminished accountability across digital interactions. — Matt Overman, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Rising antisemitic hate-crime stats suggest the proliferation of deranged bigots terrorizing the Jewish community, some who may go on to commit deadly crimes if they are not apprehended. — Rachel Sales, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 Walker connects it to the proliferation of first-person footage of war online. — Kyle MacNeill, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026 Zelensky’s assessment demonstrates the tremendous casualties Russia’s military is sustaining on the front lines due to Ukraine’s drone proliferation and development over the course of the war. — Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2026 The case of Los Primos has dramatized the proliferation of graft in the armed forces. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 But the Chinese way will cause a proliferation of talent, usage, data—until something horrible happens. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferation
  1. increase
  2. accumulation
  3. addition
  4. accumulating
  5. boost
  6. gain
  7. rise
Noun
  • The city says there was a large increase in complaints in May, likely due to the end of the school year.
    — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The vaccine included a mumps strain called Urabe that was linked to an increase in meningitis in about 1 in 900 people who got that country’s original MMR vaccine — a higher rate than expected.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Noun
  • Food safety experts say that the accumulation of outbreaks this summer is striking but that tracking the number of outbreaks — or recalls, for that matter — isn’t the best way to capture the risk from foodborne pathogens.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The measurements showed spin accumulation at the chiral copper surface, supporting the idea that the helical structure was creating spin polarization.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of accumulation
Noun
  • Then there’s the hotel’s latest addition as of April, The Baths.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Marc Cucurella’s transfer to Madrid and Lucas Digne’s to PSG are the only new additions to the list from this summer’s window.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of addition
Noun
  • While snow totals remain uncertain, this storm is forecast to bring colder air and has a better chance of bringing more widespread and meaningful accumulating snow, particularly in the mountains and higher elevations.
    — Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of accumulating
Noun
  • If your shampoo of choice doesn’t have peppermint as a critical ingredient, try adding a few drops to the bottle for a boost.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The problem appears especially glaring in thinner fields that could desperately use a boost in the competition — like this year’s limited series crop.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of boost
Noun
  • Such headwinds are unfamiliar for Reform, which had previously been in the ascendancy, leading national opinion polls and enjoying historic gains in local elections.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Later in the game, Williams caught a downfield hitch and broke a tackle for a 25-yard gain.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Noun
  • Before that, Arsenal had not experienced a moment like that since the joint rise of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe between 2019 and 2021.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing — Zhu Rongji, the steely former Chinese premier whose bold economic reforms propelled the country’s rise as a global powerhouse, has died.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise

Browse Nearby Words

proliferating
proliferation
proliferations
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Cite this Entry

“Proliferation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferation. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of proliferation for Spanish Speakers

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