Proliferation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /prə-ˈli-fə-ˌrāt/ pro·lif·er·ate

Meaning & Definition of Proliferation

Proliferation (verb)

  1. to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring
  2. to increase in number as if by proliferating, multiply
  3. to cause to grow by proliferating

Proliferation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something added (as by growth)

    "a large proliferation in the number of electrical appliances was placing enormous demands upon the region's power supply"

    similar: accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increase, increment, more, plus, raise, rise, step-up, supplement, uptick
    related: accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering, complement, accession, appendix, continuation, extension, uptrend, upturn, jump, run-up, spike
    opposite: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down
    near: deduction, subtraction

  2. the act or process of becoming greater in number

    "the proliferation of mistakes as both actors and crew became more and more tired"

    similar: accumulating, accumulation, addition, increase, multiplication, mushrooming
    related: doubling, quadrupling, tripling, creep, growth, rise, spread, enlargement, escalation, expansion, amplification, distension, inflation, accretion, accrual, augmentation, cumulation, extension, lengthening, boost, gain, hike, increment
    opposite: decrease
    near: abatement, compressing, compression, condensation, condensing, constricting, constriction, contracting, contraction, diminishing, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, shrinking, retrenching, retrenchment, shortening

Related Entry: Proliferate (verb)

Proliferate is a different word from Proliferation. The synonyms below are for proliferate, not for proliferation.

  1. to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

    "rumors about the incident proliferated on the Internet"

    similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
    related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak
    opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Proliferation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Proliferation:

accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increase, increment, more, plus, raise, rise, step-up, supplement, uptick, accumulating, accumulation, multiplication, mushrooming

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Proliferation

Words with the opposite meaning of Proliferation:

abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Related Words for Proliferation

assemblage, collection, gathering, complement, accession, appendix, continuation, extension, uptrend, upturn, jump, run-up, spike, doubling, quadrupling, tripling, creep, growth, spread, enlargement, escalation, amplification, distension, inflation, cumulation, lengthening, hike

Near Antonyms of Proliferation

deduction, subtraction, compressing, compression, condensation, condensing, constricting, constriction, contracting, contraction, diminishing, drop, shrinking, retrenching, retrenchment, shortening

Word Forms of Proliferation

Inflections: proliferated, proliferating

Derived words: proliferation (noun), proliferative (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Proliferation

back-formation from proliferation, from French prolifération, from proliférer to proliferate, from prolifère reproducing freely, from Latin proles + -fer -ferous

First known use: 1866i

Frequently Asked Questions about Proliferation

What does "Proliferation" mean?

"Proliferation" means to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Proliferation"?

Other words for "Proliferation" include accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion and gain. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Proliferation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Proliferation"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Proliferation". Common alternatives include accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increase and increment.

What is the opposite of "Proliferation"?

Antonyms of "Proliferation" include abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution and drop-off. Near antonyms include deduction, subtraction, compressing and compression.

How do you use "Proliferation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Proliferation" in a sentence: "a large proliferation in the number of electrical appliances was placing enormous demands upon the region's power supply"; "the proliferation of mistakes as both actors and crew became more and more tired".

Is "Proliferation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Proliferation" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Proliferation"?

"Proliferation" is pronounced /prə-ˈli-fə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as pro·lif·er·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Proliferation"?

"Proliferation" comes from back-formation from proliferation, from French prolifération, from proliférer to proliferate, from prolifère reproducing freely, from Latin proles + -fer -ferous. First known use: 1866i.