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 has developed that technology through its work on unmanned platforms deployed in operational environments. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

The Red Sea Coast Keeps Its Core Appeal Tourism at the beaches hasn’t ceased to develop, while other tourist places have been attracting tourists anew. — Connie Etemadi, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

The team recorded podcasts and chef roundtables and filmed dishes for Plates, a video format developed with American Express and Resy. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Management teams should prepare for longer ownership periods and develop operational strategies that can sustain performance over time. — Nate Heeren, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026