metastasize

2 antonyms for metastasize — opposites grouped by meaning.

Verb — Of cancer cells, to spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

Of cancer cells, to spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.

“The tumour had metastasized to the liver before it was detected.”

spread disseminate metastasise

2. verb

To spread and grow worse in a way that becomes hard to contain, used of problems, rumours or conflicts.

“A minor billing error metastasized into a company-wide crisis.”

proliferate escalate balloon mushroom

Opposites

contain subside

Antonyms

contain subside

How to use metastasize

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

metastasize to the lungs metastatic cancer has metastasized

Medical in the literal sense; the figurative sense is journalistic and carries a strong negative charge, so use it carefully around people affected by illness.

Etymology

From Greek metastasis 'a change of position, removal', from methistanai 'to change, transfer'.

Full origin of metastasize →

Frequently asked questions

Is it metastasize or metastasise?

Metastasize is the American spelling and metastasise the British one. Both are correct in their own varieties, and medical journals in the UK often use -ize as well.

What is the difference between metastasize and spread?

Spread is general. Metastasize is the specific medical term for cancer cells travelling from the primary tumour and establishing new tumours elsewhere, which changes the stage and the treatment.

What is a metastasis?

A metastasis is a secondary tumour formed by cells that have spread from the original site. The plural is metastases, and doctors often shorten it to "mets".

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spread contain balloon mushroom escalate disseminate proliferate subside

Nearby words

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