exponentially

[ ek-spoh-nen-shuh-lee, ‐spuh‐ ]

adverb

1. at a steady, rapid rate:

   The cost of a college education has increased exponentially over the last 30 years.

2. Mathematics. at a continuous rate of growth or decay that can be calculated using the constant e, according to the rules of raising e to the power of a positive or negative exponent:

   Any population growing exponentially must, sooner or later, encounter shortages of resources.

   The measurable rate at which a radioactive nuclide’s atoms decay exponentially is the basis of radiometric dating.

Other Words From

• non·ex·po·nen·tial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exponentially¹

exponential ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“We do expect that number to go up exponentially,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

A study released by Pew Research in September showed people were exponentially more likely to get "news" from social media detritus than legitimate news outlets.

From Salon

“So the whole compensation of policing has shot up exponentially, so I would say that chief salaries have gone up at the same level.”

From Los Angeles Times

“You coming for two hours is exponentially more than what you could give us monetarily,” Nikki said.

From Los Angeles Times

“The likelihood of really bad stuff happening is exponentially greater under a second Trump administration,” Rosenberg said.

From Salon