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

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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 The successful landing is a major milestone in SpaceX's goal to develop the rocket for future moon and Mars missions. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Fire activity is likely to get worse in the coming months because of the developing super strong El Nino. — Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Over the years, Miñoso developed a deep respect for firefighters. — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Paramount Pictures is also developing Hendrix’s novella Bad Asstronauts. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for develop

Recent Examples of Synonyms for develop

Verb

People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
As with flu vaccines, protection provided by Covid shots is greatest a few weeks after someone gets them, and vaccine formulations are updated each season to best respond to an evolving virus.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of evolve

Verb

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired the biggest prize on the trade deadline market, getting two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
As Iraq seems to have rediscovered with the Cheongung-II delay, acquiring higher-end air defense systems can require a hefty financial commitment.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of acquire

Verb

People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

In the mid-1960s, the festival expanded from an intimate get-together among church members to a cultural exchange for the greater Sacramento community.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
San Gregorio State Beach is now roughly twice its size after expanding into the formerly private ranch, San Gregorio Ranch.

— Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Italy has also pointed to Ceuta to push forward a controversial plan, forged in Italy's partnership with Albania, to move migrant screenings outside of the EU.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Rumor has long held that some of Coltrane’s final works were forged under the shivery benison of LSD.

— Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of forge

Verb

The remark is notable in light of behind-the-scenes drama that has unfolded over the last year and a half.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
The opening installation unfolds in a cornucopia of mezzanines, double-height caverns, walkways, and arched windows that give on to the street.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

Definition of unfold

Verb

Leaders must cultivate environments where staff feel valued and heard, connecting them to purpose.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The couple and their families aside, wedding guests too feel the need to cultivate the perfect wardrobe, spending on several new pieces every season.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

His attorney Mark Wykoff told the judge at his sentencing in January that the cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver and lungs.

— Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Research from Gartner indicates that agentic AI will increasingly participate in enterprise decisions, while IBM research highlights that executive confidence in AI adoption is progressing faster than confidence in governance readiness.

— Krupesh Bhat, Forbes.com, 31 July 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of develop

verb

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