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GRE vocabulary

proliferate

verbHigh-frequency wordMore P words

to increase or spread rapidly in number

Word origin: From Latin proles (offspring) and ferre (to bear).

In a sentence

Proliferate in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing proliferate in a sentence.

Conspiracy theories proliferated across social media within hours.

Once the regulation lapsed, unlicensed clinics proliferated across the city.

Synonyms
multiplyburgeonmushroomspread
Antonyms
dwindledecreasediminish
Usage & nuance

Using “proliferate” well

Proliferate stresses rapid multiplication in number, often with a hint that the increase is uncontrolled.

Common questions

Questions about “proliferate

Proliferate (verb) means to increase or spread rapidly in number
Here is proliferate used in an example sentence: "Conspiracy theories proliferated across social media within hours." Another example: "Once the regulation lapsed, unlicensed clinics proliferated across the city."
Common synonyms for proliferate include multiply, burgeon, mushroom, spread.
Antonyms of proliferate include dwindle, decrease, diminish.
On the GRE, proliferate clusters with multiply, burgeon, mushroom, and spread, opposing dwindle, decrease, and diminish.
Yes. Proliferate is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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