DEVELOP Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

develop

verb

di-ˈve-ləp

Definition of develop

as in to evolve

to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the story of the bombing developed, the scope of the tragedy became more apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to acquire

to come to have gradually the youngster developed a taste for green olives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grow

to become mature the wine is developing nicely in the new oak barrels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to expand

to express more fully and in greater detail marketing people developed the initial idea into a complete promotional campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to forge

to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort outside consultants helped the company develop an effective marketing strategy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of develop His career may have developed differently from artists dependent on constant mainstream radio play, but his fans (commonly called Technicians) argue that independence never meant irrelevance. — J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The report suggests considering inventory exposure, material-supply risk, and residual value, then developing responses with both economic and ecological validity. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 After a period of over-the-limit warming, the new strategy envisions getting back below the limit by ending fossil fuel use and developing some kind of way to suck industries' carbon dioxide out of the air. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Founded in 1999, Bionaut’s animation activities have been developing since 2015. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for develop

Recent Examples of Synonyms for develop

Verb

Palal acknowledged that Davis’ accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis’ changing motivations and efforts to protect himself.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
The soft gray-white rattan complements the tailored beige high-density comfort cushions and creates an airy backdrop for your ever-evolving collection of seasonal all-weather pillows and throws.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of evolve

Verb

Xenex LightStrike Infections acquired inside hospitals remain a serious problem, especially when harmful germs survive on surfaces after a patient leaves a room.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Leaders can distinguish between capabilities required on day one and knowledge that a capable person can reasonably acquire.

— Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of acquire

Verb

As the affiliate industry grows, particularly for fashion brands and beauty brands which increasingly route a growing share of sales through such links, the answer is getting harder to parse.

— Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
According to the memo, Google's electric demand is expected to grow faster than Entergy can add new electricity generation.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

Japan’s Inpex, for example, formed a joint venture to expand its LNG investment in Australia’s Northern Territory.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
While most of its stores are in mainland China, the company had 4,378 stores overseas as of end-June and has been expanding into new markets, including central Asia and the Americas.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

However, City have now forged ahead after agreeing a package worth £65million for the 26-year-old.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The customer favorite is forged from iron, polypropylene, and wood, and provides a haven from wind, rain, and sun.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of forge

Verb

Cannes Camera d’Or winner Ben’Imana, directed by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, unfolds in the shadow of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, exploring its legacy and the possibility of forgiveness.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
The novel explores the challenges of making a life both within and without the arts, and how that unfolds from adolescence into adulthood.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfold

Verb

For leaders, cultivating an environment where people actively seek out and fill these gaps is what separates adaptive companies from stagnant ones.

— Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
For years, the British American brothers cultivated the image that laws did not apply to them even as legal troubles mounted in the UK, Romania and the US.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Lake County prosecutors filed to detain Fisher, and he was ordered to remain in jail as his case progresses through the court system.

— Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Technical objectives and operational milestones are expected to be disclosed as the programs progress.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of progress

Browse Nearby Words

devastative

develop

developed

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Style

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/develop. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of develop

verb

Example Sentences

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