spread around or make widely known

propagate

verb|/ˈprɑː.pə.ɡeɪt/

Spread or promote widely

Examples

In a meeting

We need to propagate this new policy across all teams.

Over coffee

Social media helps propagate news incredibly fast.

Why this word

spread

Propagate implies intentional reproduction or multiplication, especially of plants or ideas, while spread is more passive

reproduce

Propagate often implies deliberate cultivation and expansion, while reproduce is neutral about intention

promote

Propagate means to multiply and spread widely, while promote focuses on advocacy without necessarily multiplying

Usage tip

Use when describing the spreading of ideas, information, or practices

Etymology

Latin 'propagare' (to set forward, extend)

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