- (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.
- to spread injuriously: Street gangs have metastasized in our city.
- to transform, especially into a dangerous form: The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.
- (esp of cancer cells) to spread to a new site in the body via blood or lymph vessels
- (of a problem) to deteriorate or spread into new areas
