proliferation
Swift, unchecked growth
Proliferation is rapid increase or spread in number.
The word often appears in contexts of concern—nuclear proliferation threatens global security, the proliferation of misinformation erodes public trust.
But it can be neutral: the proliferation of smartphone apps, the proliferation of coffee shops in urban areas.
The verb is proliferate.
Sudden powerful increase
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- boomLoud deep sound
- spikeSharp rise or point
upsurge · outbreak · rapid growth · expansion · multiplication · snowballing · skyrocketing · mushrooming
Wide distribution of information
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- transmissionSending of information
- dispersionScattering across space
- circulationMovement through a system
distribution · permeation · contagion · infiltration · propagation · migration · scattering · radiation
Parent splitting into offspring
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- reproductionCopying or procreation
cloning · budding · fission · germination · multiplication · propagation · breeding · procreation
Abnormal tissue mass
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
carcinoma · adenoma · abnormal growth · lesion · mass · nodule · fibrosis · polyp
Tools for fighting
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- treatyBinding pact between nations
enrichment · centrifuges · stockpile · arsenal · disarmament · IAEA · sanctions · uranium
Extravagant amount present
- plethoraExcessive surplus
- multitudeVery large number
- glutExcessive surplus
- overabundanceExcessive quantity beyond need
excess · surfeit · saturation · inundation · deluge · flood · avalanche · preponderance
surge
Sudden powerful increase
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- boomLoud deep sound
spike · upsurge · outbreak · rapid growth · expansion · multiplication · snowballing · skyrocketing · mushrooming · ballooning
dissemination
Wide distribution of information
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- transmissionSending of information
- dispersionScattering across space
circulation · distribution · permeation · contagion · infiltration · propagation · migration · scattering · radiation · expansion
cell division
Parent splitting into offspring
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- meiosisGamete-producing cell division
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
reproduction · cloning · budding · fission · germination · multiplication · propagation · breeding · procreation · generation
neoplasm
Abnormal tissue mass
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
metastasis · carcinoma · adenoma · abnormal growth · lesion · mass · nodule · fibrosis · polyp · fibroma
weapons
Tools for fighting
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
treaty · enrichment · centrifuges · stockpile · arsenal · disarmament · IAEA · sanctions · uranium · plutonium
profusion
Extravagant amount present
overabundance · excess · surfeit · saturation · inundation · deluge · flood · avalanche · preponderance · cornucopia
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- excessexcess, too much, excessive, excessiveness, overabundance
- increasesincrease, rise, gain, boost, hike
- quantitiessome, many, few, amount, several
- quantity changesincrease, decrease, rise, fall, gain
- buildupbuildup, accumulation, accretion, pileup, pile
proliferationdecrease
Become or make smaller
reduction · decline · diminution · shrinkage · depletion
proliferationcontainment
Preventing hostile expansion
nonproliferation · non-proliferation · restriction · limitation · constraint
proliferationnonproliferation
Restricting weapons dissemination
non-proliferation · disarmament · denuclearization · arms control · demilitarization
- nuclear proliferationWeapons capability spreading internationally
- nuclear non-proliferationRestricting atomic weapons spread