proliferate

[ pruh-lif-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, pro·lif·er·at·ed, pro·lif·er·at·ing.

1. to grow or produce by multiplication of parts, as in budding or cell division, or by procreation.
2. to increase in number or spread rapidly and often excessively.

proliferate

/ prəˈlɪfəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to grow or reproduce (new parts, cells, etc) rapidly
2. to grow or increase or cause to grow or increase rapidly

Derived Forms

• proˈliferative, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·lifer·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proliferate¹

First recorded in 1870–75; prolifer(ous) + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of proliferate¹

C19: from Medieval Latin prōlifer having offspring, from Latin prōlēs offspring + ferre to bear

Example Sentences

Still, the Republican vice presidential candidate's views proliferate among members of men's rights groups, conservative Christian leaders, and rightwing influencers, who have given breath to the movement to upend no-fault divorce in favor of fault-based grounds, which would require either party to prove a spouse's wrongdoing in court — and not lose on a potential counterclaim from their spouse — in order to obtain a divorce.

From Salon

Listeria’s ability to adapt and proliferate under varied conditions means “it’s an ongoing battle,” especially at large food-processing establishments like BrucePac, which churns out precooked, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in huge quantities.

From Los Angeles Times

Smoke and mirrors proliferate, but you are welcomed in as a full participant in the seductive play.

From Los Angeles Times

The ratings for the Emmy Awards have been battered by audience shifts in an industry that has seen viewing options proliferate in the streaming era, making mass audience hits harder to come by.

From Los Angeles Times

Stories bringing that vision to life proliferate across TV.

From Salon

Related Words

• breed
• burgeon
• escalate
• generate
• multiply
• mushroom
• propagate
• reproduce
• snowball