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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Proliferation

noun / pruh-lif-uh-RAY-shuhn / Medium
Meaning

Rapid increase, spread, or multiplication — often used of dangerous weapons, technologies, or ideas

Origin / Etymology

Latin proliferare — to produce offspring (proles = offspring + ferre = to bear)

Synonyms
Spread Multiplication Expansion Escalation
Antonyms
Reduction Containment Non-proliferation
Example Sentence
"The proliferation of GCCs (Global Capability Centres) across India's metro cities has transformed the country into the world's leading hub for high-value knowledge work."
🎯 UPSC Usage

Dual-use word: 1) Nuclear/weapons context — 'nuclear proliferation', Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR); 2) Technology/economic context — 'proliferation of fintech startups'. Using the word in both contexts in the same essay signals vocabulary breadth. Critical for GS-2 (IR), GS-3 (S&T), and GS-4 essays.

Relevant Subjects
Security Defence Science Tech International Relations
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