develop

verb

di-ˈve-ləp How to pronounce develop (audio)
Definition of developnext
1
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

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2
as in to acquire
to come to have gradually the youngster developed a taste for green olives

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to grow
to become mature the wine is developing nicely in the new oak barrels

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4
as in to expand
to express more fully and in greater detail marketing people developed the initial idea into a complete promotional campaign

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5
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

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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 While Western pharmaceutical firms are racing to develop a vaccine — some of which are close to trials — none are expected to be widely available soon, putting the onus for containing the disease on underfunded DRC authorities. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 How the unit develops could have massive implications for the rest of the league. — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Philipps had developed a staph infection at the infection site, which led to a second surgery to remove infected tissue. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 In the offseason, the Cowboys brought in Eric Morris, a Texas native who’s known for his innovative offenses and his ability to develop quarterbacks. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for develop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for develop
  1. evolve
  2. acquire
  3. grow
  4. expand
  5. forge
  6. unfold
  7. cultivate
  8. progress
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
  • The suspect, identified by the NYPD as 31-year-old Jesus Acosta, is being hunted in connection with two deadly shootings that unfolded days apart across New York City, police told Fox News Digital.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As her creative uncertainty grows, a strange mystery unfolds when a series of provocative and obscene artworks inexplicably disappear.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/develop. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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