DEVELOPMENTAL Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

developmental

adjective

dē-ˌve-ləp-ˈmen-tᵊl

Definition of developmental

as in experimental

made or done as an experiment developmental weaponry that is classified as top secret by the Pentagon

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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 developmental Jackson said college sports are now part of a global economy in which elite athletes routinely move between developmental and professional systems. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Sowah heads overseas Valkyries developmental player Miela Sowah will join Team Australia in the World Cup next week, becoming the fourth Valkyries player to depart for the tournament. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Exhibit 10 signing With the Heat’s standard roster at 14 players after the signing of Richards, the Heat became eligible to begin adding developmental prospects to Exhibit 10 contracts. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Rookie tackle Dametrious Crownover also seems worth keeping around for developmental purposes. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for developmental

Recent Examples of Synonyms for developmental

Adjective

But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

These statements show a total disregard for confidentiality, basic investigative standards and the seriousness of ethics violations.

— Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office investigative and tactical teams served a high-risk search warrant at a residence in Salinas and took the suspect into custody.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigative

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development

developmental

developments

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

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Synonyms of developmental

adjective

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