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

Ukraine has developed drones and electronic warfare to thwart nearly all attack drones but not fast-moving missiles. — Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 22 July 2026

Regardless, job security now relies less on one’s job title and more on the skills and value a person develops independently. — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Sessa developed a true fondness for Provincetown while making the film. — Ok McCausland, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Those supply chains have developed over decades around lower production costs. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 22 July 2026