metastasize

/mə'tæstəsaiz/

Thân thiện

The cancer began to metastasize to other organs.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • (Medicine) To spread from one part of the body to another: In medicine, especially in oncology, "metastasize" refers to the process by which cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form new (secondary) tumors in other parts of the body.
   • (Figurative) To spread or proliferate in a harmful way: By extension, "metastasize" can describe how a problem, idea, or negative influence spreads uncontrollably to other areas.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The doctors were concerned that the tumor might metastasize to the liver.
  • Without intervention, the corruption metastasized throughout the entire organization.
  • Once the cancer metastasizes, treatment becomes significantly more complex.

Advanced Usage

• "to metastasize to [a location]": This is the standard medical construction to indicate where the cancer has spread.
  • The lung cancer had metastasized to her brain.
• Figurative Use: The verb is increasingly used in non-medical contexts to describe the rapid, uncontrolled spread of something negative.
  • The conspiracy theory metastasized across social media platforms.

Variants and Related Words

• Metastasis (noun): The process or the instance of spreading. The plural is .
  • The scan revealed metastases in the bones.
• Metastatic (adjective): Characterized by or relating to metastasis.
  • He was diagnosed with metastatic disease.

Synonyms

• Spread: To extend over a wider area. (General term)
• Disseminate: To spread widely, especially information. (Often used figuratively)
• Propagate: To spread and promote an idea, theory, etc.

Antonyms

• Localize: To restrict or confine to a specific place.
• Contain: To keep something within limits; to prevent from spreading.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of "metastasize" is inherently negative and pathological, describing an uncontrolled and harmful spread. Its figurative use retains this connotation of a dangerous, proliferating problem.

Học thuật

Verb

1. spread throughout the body
   • the cancer had metastasized and the patient could not be saved

Từ đồng nghĩa

• metastasise