proliferate
Increase in number
Proliferate means to multiply rapidly or spread in great numbers.
Cells proliferate when they divide.
Weapons proliferate when they spread to new countries or groups.
Ideas, rumors, and coffee shops all proliferate: Fast-food chains have proliferated along the highway.
The word suggests growth that's quick, extensive, and sometimes hard to control.
Increase in number
- escalateIncrease in severity
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- boomLoud deep sound
- burgeonGrow or expand quickly
mushroom · snowball · skyrocket · explode · accumulate · compound · accelerate · intensify
Copy or breed
- breedCultivated variety of animal
- multiplyIncrease in number
- spawnAquatic eggs or generate
- propagateSpread or breed further
germinate · replicate · clone · divide · regenerate · offspring · fertilize · incubate
Spread information widely
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- circulateMove in a loop
- disperseCause to spread apart
- permeateSpread through entirely
radiate · transmit · scatter · distribute · metastasize · branch out · fan out · reach
Not controlled or limited
- rampantFlourishing beyond control
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
- overrunSpread throughout uncontrollably
- infestationPest takeover situation
swarming · teeming · rife · epidemic · pandemic · plague · out of control · unrestrained
multiply
Increase in number
burgeon · mushroom · snowball · skyrocket · explode · accumulate · compound · accelerate · intensify · balloon
reproduce
Copy or breed
propagate · germinate · replicate · clone · divide · regenerate · offspring · fertilize · incubate · hatch
disseminate
Spread information widely
permeate · radiate · transmit · scatter · distribute · metastasize · branch out · fan out · reach · extend
unchecked
Not controlled or limited
- rampantFlourishing beyond control
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
- overrunSpread throughout uncontrollably
infestation · swarming · teeming · rife · epidemic · pandemic · plague · out of control · unrestrained · unbridled
nuclear
Of atomic energy
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
stockpile · enrichment · centrifuge · treaty · sanctions · deterrent · missile · atomic · WMD · disarmament
- escalationescalation, escalate, ratchet up, worsen, intensify
- expansionexpand, spread, broaden, widen, extend
- biology verbsgrow, divide, reproduce, evolve, mutate
- Trading Card Gamesbooster pack, creature, spell, artifact, enchantment
- reproductionreproduction, birth, baby, egg, sperm
- overflowingoverflow, brimming, brimful, running over, spill
proliferatecontract
Enforceable written agreement
concentrate · consolidate · retreat · recede · centralize
- nuclear proliferationWeapons capability spreading internationally
- nuclear non-proliferationRestricting atomic weapons spread
proliferation, proliferated, proliferating, proliferates, nonproliferation, proliferative, proliferations, proliferator, proliferators