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

Relevance
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 If the Sabres get this version of Samuelsson all season, this blue line could develop into a strength of the team. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 However, rough surf, beach erosion, and some stormy conditions are expected along parts of the East Coast next week due to Melissa, as well as a coastal storm that is expected to develop, AccuWeather said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 Talamasca wants viewers to invest in these two as a pair — Guy as the resistant, questioning prodigy and Helen as his no-nonsense, charmingly manipulative mother figure — but the series doesn’t develop Guy well enough to make their relationship worth caring about. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025 Recently, Korean researchers developed an ultrathin silver-ion coating that prevents dendrite formation in lithium-metal batteries, improving safety, lifespan, and commercialization potential for next-generation energy storage. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for develop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for develop
Verb
  • The tight end position has evolved significantly, but there’s still a little old-fashioned magic to it.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The court's ruling could influence how future AI laws evolve and how victims seek justice.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • DeCosta has the cap space and draft capital to acquire help before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • One of the more underrated linebackers in the NFL, the Dolphins could look to move Jordyn Brooks at the deadline to acquire some draft capital in the offseason.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Morelli turned to the drug as a result of his growing addiction to OxyContin, which he had been prescribed following back surgery, wrote Joslin.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Hunter has set himself a very fine amount of emotional and physical space within which to work, and there’s pleasure in watching Metcalf and Stock negotiate the tiptoeing way Sarah and Ethan grow closer.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At the crux of those tensions are a gaping trade imbalance and efforts from the US to ensure its national security against an increasingly assertive China, including by expanding restrictions on China’s access to American high tech, like the advanced semiconductors needed to power AI.
    Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Seeing as how the first tribe swap failed to shake anything up and gave us two more obvious telegraphed votes, the producers decided to blow it all up again and expand back to three tribes.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Set in the world of women’s basketball, the film follows two phenoms who forge an extraordinary bond as teammates until fame, competition and the ruthless business of college athletics threaten to turn their friendship into an epic rivalry.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to forging his music career, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter—who left his career on Wall Street to pursue his dreams—is a lawyer, actor, and TV reporter.
    Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Chaotic scenes then unfold as dozens of protesters swarmed the area and confronted the federal agents, the footage shows.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Downstairs, a private VIC suite — the brand’s first in Europe — has been designed to support its growing clienteling program aimed at cultivating high-spending clients.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The longtime garden enthusiast also added an adjacent parcel to further cultivate the picturesque grounds.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The team foresees further applications in orthotics and gripping tools as the research progresses, pushing programmable materials closer to everyday use.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
  • While the city’s overall housing production has lagged, more projects are progressing in North San Jose, with the latest promising to add more than 700 homes near a major tech hub.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Develop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/develop. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on develop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!