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 So there’s plenty of developmental and foundational stuff to see here. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 At each developmental stage, Montessori teachers work to develop children’s decision-making skills, which are part of a larger focus on executive functioning. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 But what happens when there is more losing in Sacramento, when LaVine starts taking minutes from Sacramento’s developmental wing, when LaVine decides enough losing is enough? — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Matthew faces arduous health struggles and numerous developmental challenges. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of developmental

adjective

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