metastasize
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for metastasize, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Of cancer cells, to spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
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.”
How to use metastasize
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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 →