DEVELOPING Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

developing

verb

Definition of developing

present participle of develop

as in evolving

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 acquiring

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in growing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in expanding

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 forging

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 developing SoCal likely in the clear A red blob on the hurricane center's forecast map well south of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula represents a developing tropical system, one that some models show could eventually impact California. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Even the Barbie doll, while often derided for promoting an unhealthy body image for developing children, offered girls a glimpse of a different future than as a wife and mother, Kimmel argues. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Chemical suppliers are developing increasingly sophisticated products, while machinery, software and process control continue to improve. — Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 Experts say developing fully homemade drones, given that Japan’s commercial market is dominated by imports from China, would be a challenge. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Experts say developing fully homemade drones, given that Japan's commercial market is dominated by imports from China, would be a challenge. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Snyder originated The Last Photograph based on his own story and had been developing the war drama since the mid-2000s, after the success of 300. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 As trains must cross a structure that shifts constantly with wind and waves, engineers spent years developing unprecedented technologies to handle the immense weight and prevent catastrophic derailments into the water. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 After developing it in the 1920s, the Soviets continued this strategy through World War II, Stalin’s death, and the thaw that arrived with his successor, Nikita Khrushchev. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for developing

Verb

This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI and LLMs such as ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and others.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The terms are evolving, and often used interchangeably for health care approaches not typically part of conventional medical care or that originated outside of Western medicine.

— Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of evolving

Verb

Semiconductor investment expected to climb China’s semiconductor capital expenditure is expected to continue growing at double-digit annual rates through the end of the decade, reaching $82 billion in 2030, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of growing

Verb

Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of expanding

Verb

In Ocean Springs, where Nolan lived and first made a name for himself, the focus remained on the high school’s football game unfolding in front of them – no moment of silence, visible memorials, signs, ribbons or public tributes.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Can this connection roll with an unforeseen professional development that’s unfolding?

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfolding

Verb

And in the summer working, caring for the garden, cultivating my plants, my food, inhaling the sun, seeing my skin become brown just as the flowers are also growing their colours, and my beloved garden plants are delivering their brilliant food.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
But cultivating consumer trust, as opposed to pursuing rapid product expansion and chasing virality, has become a defining — and differentiating — aspect of Westman Atelier’s go-to-market model.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivating

Verb

Ryan Weathers might have avoided a serious elbow injury, and Max Fried is progressing from his own elbow issue.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Bell, Miami’s third-round pick who is recovering from a November knee injury that included ACL and MCL damage, continues steadily progressing toward a possible early-season appearance.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressing

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developers

developing

development

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

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Synonyms of developing

verb

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