PROLIFERATION Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

proliferation

noun

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 The United States has seen a steep decline in gambling over the past decade, a surprising result given the proliferation of online sports betting. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026 With the ongoing proliferation of streaming services, international audiences have greater access to the large and diverse catalog of anime films than ever before, including these eight classics. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Aug. 2026 Hot-button votes The trend does not always apply to the proliferation of special pay awards, however, Semler Brossy found. — Ross Kerber, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026 In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 The controversy is at once new and familiar, reflecting both the dramatic changes that the proliferation of AI has wrought on book publishing and echoing other skirmishes this year in which authors have been accused of using AI. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026 According to Hendley, a proliferation of younger cardholders means the program needs to follow them into the urban core. — Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proliferation

Noun

The Defense Ministry in Bucharest said that so far this year, Russia had attacked targets close to Romania's frontier 54 times, representing a significant increase on the 28 attacks close to the border in all of 2025.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
New York City sanitation workers say their job has been pricklier than usual after the Department of Sanitation reported an increase in needle stick injuries.

— Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Noun

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul missed the game while serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Inflammation from poor glucose control can stress blood vessels, increasing plaque accumulation and the risk of heart disease.

— Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of accumulation

Noun

The luxury of doing less Arriving on the largest island in the Grenadine archipelago, one that was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Sandals Saint Vincent is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio.

— Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The proposal calls for a 1,280-square-foot addition to the existing 3,000-square-foot building.

— Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of addition

Noun

Target hiked its full fiscal-year outlook, due to both stronger sales trends and the one-time boost to its bottom line.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Spradling said large events can provide a significant boost, but staffing pressures, parking shortages and rising operating expenses remain ongoing challenges.

— Kenny Choi, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of boost

Noun

Artificial intelligence has enabled the rapid rise of such tools, capable of digitally manipulating photos with little effort.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Although holiday spending plans are not particularly negative, many shoppers are feeling the effects of years of inflation and the recent rise in gas prices.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rise

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proliferating

proliferation

proliferations

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“Proliferation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proliferation. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of proliferation

noun

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