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
3
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

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 As waves of atmospheric energy move out of northeast Mexico and ride over the freezing air left behind by the arctic front, wintry precipitation is expected to develop across the region. Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026 Where Ford introduced the assembly line, Czinger deploys proprietary artificial-intelligence applications alongside next-generation fabrication—from custom 3-D printers to the chemical makeup of key materials—all developed in-house. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026 This is a developing story and will be updated. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026 In 2021 the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) was founded to develop a standard for tracking a file’s history. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for develop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for develop
Verb
  • Modular software drives robots The platform emphasizes that software can evolve independently of hardware, enabling robots to learn new tasks and improve over time.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
  • But as the practice evolved, eager writers like Jefferson and John Adams (but not George Washington or James Madison, for instance), gravitated to a richer, sympathy-bearing idiom, which no doubt bled into intimate speech, now lost.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Red Sox have acquired Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Willson Contreras, and they are still expected to add at least one more bat.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Spend more, acquire more, repeat.
    Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As chips used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing become more complex, demand has grown for more advanced testing equipment to ensure quality and reliability.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Al-Maliki ended his second term in 2014 after the Obama administration’s growing frustration with his security blind spots that saw the rise of the Islamic State in the same year across a large swathe of Iraqi and Syrian territory.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jennie headlined Coachella as a solo artist while expanding her fashion ventures.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • In recent years, auction houses have expanded their categories as luxury goods and collectibles have helped buoy their sales.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The agreement will forge a market of 2 billion people at a time when trade ties are being tested amid rising geopolitical tensions.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Elements that are forged by stars and seeded in galaxies are released when these stars reach the end of their lives and explode as supernovae.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Their characters also had a romantic history and a will-they-won't-they dynamic that unfolded amid the ER's chaos.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The Legislature’s tax discussions are unfolding in the shadow of a controversial ballot measure proposal to impose a one-time tax on the state’s billionaires.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Junho, who began his career as a member of K-pop boy band 2PM in 2008, has continued to cultivate a music career in tandem with his acting work.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Other key metrics include speed to market for new products, employee engagement, AI adoption, and whether new skills are being cultivated.
    John Kell, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Player Projects require Raiders to go out into the various maps and find loot, which must then be committed in order to progress and earn rewards.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Have things progressed to the point of having regular kombucha or kvass infusions?
    Alyssa Brandt, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/develop. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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