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Proliferating - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Proliferating means rapidly increasing or multiplying in number. It is often used to describe cells, ideas, or objects that grow or spread quickly, such as weeds proliferating in a garden.

proliferating

/prəˈlɪfəˌreɪtɪŋ/ /prəˈlɪfəreɪtɪŋ/

Definition:

Increasing rapidly in number or spreading widely.

Synonyms:

multiplying, expanding, burgeoning, mushrooming

Part of Speech:

verb, adjective

Antonyms:

decreasing, diminishing

Common Collocations:

rapidly proliferating cells, proliferating weeds, proliferating rumors

Derivatives:

proliferation, proliferative, proliferator

Usage Tips:

Use "proliferating" to describe rapid growth or spread, often in biology or abstract contexts like ideas or problems.

Common Phrases:

proliferating like wildfire, proliferating at an alarming rate

Etymology:

From Latin *proles* (offspring) + *ferre* (to bear), meaning to reproduce or spread abundantly.

Examples:

  • 1. The weeds are proliferating in the garden after the rain.
  • 2. Social media has led to proliferating misinformation online.
  • 3. Scientists study how cancer cells keep proliferating uncontrollably.
  • 4. The city faces challenges due to its proliferating population.

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