metastasize
verb
me·tas·ta·size
mə-ˈta-stə-ˌsīz 
metastasized; metastasizing
: to spread or grow by or as if by metastasis
died of lung cancer which had metastasized throughout his body—
G. P. Elliott
G. P. ElliottExamples of metastasize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Multiple security officials across Europe describe a threat that is metastasizing as Russian agents, increasingly under scrutiny by security services and frustrated in their own operations, hire local amateurs to undertake high-risk, and often deniable, crimes on their behalf.
—Tara John, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Two days later, he was faced with worse news: A second scan found the cancer originated in his prostate and had metastasized to his bones, leaving tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib — incurable stage 4 cancer.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024
But her cancer metastasized (or spread) to other areas of her body, and last year Lewis was told her cancer had progressed to stage IV.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 18 Oct. 2024
Almost a year after the accident, Shaw’s anxieties about returning to the workforce have metastasized due to his newfound condition worsening.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metastasize 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tara John, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Two days later, he was faced with worse news: A second scan found the cancer originated in his prostate and had metastasized to his bones, leaving tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib — incurable stage 4 cancer.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024
But her cancer metastasized (or spread) to other areas of her body, and last year Lewis was told her cancer had progressed to stage IV.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 18 Oct. 2024
Almost a year after the accident, Shaw’s anxieties about returning to the workforce have metastasized due to his newfound condition worsening.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metastasize
Articles Related to metastasize
Dictionary Entries Near metastasize
Cite this Entry
“Metastasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastasize. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metastasize
verb
me·tas·ta·size
mə-ˈtas-tə-ˌsīz
: to spread or grow by or as if by metastasis
Medical Definition
metastasize
intransitive verb
me·tas·ta·size
variants
also British metastasise
metastasized also British metastasised; metastasizing also British metastasising
: to spread by metastasis
… all ten were primary brain cancers; that is, they had originated in the brain, and not metastasized there from elsewhere in the body.—Paul Brodeur, The New Yorker
Paul Brodeur, The New YorkerLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share