exponentially

American  

[ek-spoh-nen-shuh-lee, ‐spuh‐] / ˌɛk spoʊˈnɛn ʃə li, ‐spə‐ /

adverb

1. at a steady, rapid rate.

   The cost of a college education has increased exponentially over the last 30 years.

2. Mathematics. at a continuous rate of growth or decay that can be calculated using the constant e, according to the rules of raising e to the power of a positive or negative exponent.

   Any population growing exponentially must, sooner or later, encounter shortages of resources.

   The measurable rate at which a radioactive nuclide’s atoms decay exponentially is the basis of radiometric dating.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonexponentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of exponentially

exponential ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Protect Democracy formed in 2016 and has expanded exponentially since.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Driven primarily by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the number of satellites launched into space has grown exponentially in the past decade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

As the number of variables grows, the complexity of the calculations increases exponentially.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

Saueressig said SAP, which makes a wide range of business software, had seen "exponentially increased demand" for products that guarantee "digital sovereignty".

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

As the planet Chthonia grew larger in my cockpit window, the density and number of ships around me seemed to increase exponentially.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline