metastasize

American  

[muh-tas-tuh-sahyz] / məˈtæs təˌsaɪz /

especially British, metastasise

verb (used without object)

metastasized, metastasizing

1. Pathology. (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.

2. to spread injuriously.

   Street gangs have metastasized in our city.

3. to transform, especially into a dangerous form.

   The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.

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metastasize British  

/ mɪˈtæstəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. pathol (esp of cancer cells) to spread to a new site in the body via blood or lymph vessels

2. (of a problem) to deteriorate or spread into new areas

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Etymology

Origin of metastasize

First recorded in 1905–10; metastas(is) + -ize

Example Sentences

As both companies hurtle toward an IPO, the philosophical and personal differences between their leadership have metastasized.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scientists still do not fully understand what controls a cancer cell's ability to metastasize, but answering this question is essential for improving patient care.

From Science Daily

This issue metastasized into something greater for Oracle: The market realized that returns for stockholders could shrink if the OpenAI deal doesn’t fully bear fruit, or if any other part of the business suffers.

From Barron's

"This means cancer cells will migrate within the nerve and use the nerve as a way to metastasize."

From Science Daily

That’s manifested in a widespread selloff that has started to metastasize beyond purveyors of enterprise software offerings.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• clean
• drain
• dribble
• leak
• penetrate
• percolate
• permeate
• refine
• sift
• trickle
• winnow