Synonyms of develop

develop

verb

di-ˈve-ləp 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evolve
• unfold
• grow
• progress
• proceed
• elaborate
• emerge
• mature
• forge
• get along
• get on
• advance
• march
• ripen
• blossom
• fare
• materialize
• play out

2

as in to acquire

to come to have gradually

the youngster developed a taste for green olives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acquire
• cultivate
• gain
• form
• get
• adopt
• obtain
• achieve
• embrace
• attain
• absorb
• reach
• promote
• take on
• take in
• foster
• nurture
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• abandon
• forsake
• shed
• reject
• desert
• unload
• discard
• cast
• ditch
• dump
• throw away
• throw out
• scrap
• fling (off or away)
• jettison
• slough
• shuck (off)
• junk

3

as in to grow

to become mature

the wine is developing nicely in the new oak barrels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• progress
• mature
• grow up
• age
• ripen
• evolve
• soften
• flower
• blossom
• flourish
• bloom
• open
• mellow
• get along
• unfold
• get on
• gray
• advance
• burgeon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deteriorate
• worsen
• decline
• degenerate
• weaken
• sink
• decay
• dry
• fade
• wilt
• waste (away)
• revert
• shrivel
• wither
• wane
• return
• sag
• regress
• flag
• droop
• lapse
• retrogress
• backslide

4

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

• expand
• supplement
• amplify
• flesh (out)
• complement
• enlarge (on or upon)
• elaborate (on)
• add (to)
• dilate (on or upon)
• run on
• expatiate
• discourse
• ramble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shorten
• condense
• contract
• summarize
• compress
• outline
• abridge
• abbreviate
• sum up

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forge
• create
• devise
• generate
• construct
• achieve
• craft
• grind (out)
• carve (out)
• work up
• bring forth
• compose
• work out
• hammer out
• thrash (out)
• invent
• form
• engineer
• conceive
• accomplish
• manufacture
• model
• originate
• tailor
• shape
• carry out
• throw up
• churn out
• turn out
• concoct
• crank out
• hatch
• effect
• mint
• contrive
• fabricate
• fashion
• cook (up)
• cobble (together or up)
• frame
• bring off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• destroy
• dismantle
• demolish
• tear down
• ruin
• raze
• undo
• wreck
• unmake

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of develop

The company took its product registry technology, originally developed for global licensing, and tweaked it to meet the DPP requirements. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

The pair have also co-written a graphic novel and are developing a new game. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Groom will oversee franchises such as Survivor, Shark Tank, and The Voice in the role as well as its format library and has been tasked with developing new formats and series for Prime Video and outside broadcasters and streamers. — Peter White, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026

The market could become enormous and still develop too slowly for the purchases made in anticipation of it. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026