1
Core action
Increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
Example
Small publishers proliferated after printing costs fell.
proliferate
/prəˈlɪfəreɪt/ · pruh-LIF-uh-raytverb
Increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
Use proliferate to express this relationship precisely: increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
What proliferate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The cells proliferate rapidly under these conditions.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Unverified claims proliferated online.
Use proliferate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Small publishers proliferated after printing costs fell.
The cells proliferate rapidly under these conditions.
Unverified claims proliferated online.
Precision Matters
Proliferate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
proliferate
vs.Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
disseminate
Means spread information, knowledge, or ideas widely among many people or places.
proliferate
vs.Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
diminish
Means become or make something smaller, weaker, less important, or less intense.
proliferate
vs.Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
curtail
Means reduce, restrict, or bring something to an earlier end than intended.
proliferate
vs.Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
deplete
Means to reduce the amount or supply of something, often substantially.
Test proliferate in Context
Their population increased and spread rapidly.
1
Once predators disappeared, the invasive insects began to ___ throughout the valley.