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View synonyms for metastasize

metastasize

[ muh-tas-tuh-sahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, me·tas·ta·sized, me·tas·ta·siz·ing.
  1. Pathology. (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.
  2. to spread injuriously:

    Street gangs have metastasized in our city.

  3. to transform, especially into a dangerous form:

    The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.



metastasize

/ mɪˈtæstəˌsaɪz /

verb

  1. pathol (esp of cancer cells) to spread to a new site in the body via blood or lymph vessels
  2. (of a problem) to deteriorate or spread into new areas


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Word History and Origins

Origin of metastasize1

First recorded in 1905–10; metastas(is) + -ize

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Example Sentences

One thing we clearly know is that pancreatic cancer spreads early — or what we call metastasizes — to organs away from the pancreas.

In a country obsessed with TV—where provincialism too often metastasizes into nationalism, and especially at a time when international travel is virtually impossible—the best thing our screens can do is open us up to the world beyond them.

From Time

It faced a backlog of 26,000 reported posts that remained on the service, and Parler’s alleged reliance on “volunteers” to moderate content meant that it could not keep pace with the metastasizing threats.

From Time

Like Douglas, he enabled an extremist movement that rejected core American principles, allowing it to metastasize into a serious threat to the republic.

If they find cancer, surgery can still be effective if the tumor hasn’t metastasized.

When politicians use ethnic mobilization to promote their agendas, violence can metastasize quickly.

What starts out as Casual Friday must metastasize eventually into Slumming Sunday.

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metastasismetastatic