development

noun

di-ˈve-ləp-mənt How to pronounce development (audio)
Definition of developmentnext
1
as in evolution
the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced the development of an idea into a marketable product

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2
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause a development that the writers of the law never anticipated or intended

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3
as in growth
the process of becoming mature a tulip's development from a bulb into a flower

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 development There are some who will argue that the US government is putting sufficient resources towards AI development — even if that funding isn’t focused on safety and security. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026 But Splitter doesn’t want any of that development to take away from Miller’s preexisting strengths. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Those qualities have had a major influence on Naveena’s developments for S/S ’28. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 Infrastructure development funds will be scarcer in 2027 as financing under the European Union’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery program ends this year. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for development
Recent Examples of Synonyms for development
  1. evolution
  2. outcome
  3. growth
  4. progress
  5. result
  6. maturation
  7. expansion
  8. resultant
Noun
  • The study continued that natural selection, genetic drift, and recombination biases shape the evolution of nonribosomal peptides, a class of compounds used in antibiotics such as penicillin, as well as toxins.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The cutting-edge building details the city’s evolution from a humble fishing village to a bustling metropolis with over 18 million residents.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of evolution
Noun
  • The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The trial is continuing to track participants’ longer-term outcomes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • Concerns also remain that their prices shot too high following a yearslong frenzy, even though companies in the industry continue to report growth.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • New consumer research suggests the shift is more deliberate, and more compatible with luxury growth, than early coverage implied.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of growth
Noun
  • The Hawks’ special teams, mainly the power play, have been a work in progress for some time now.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But scientific progress rarely stays within neat national boxes for long, even when governments would prefer it to.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of progress
Noun
  • Dividing the task between specialist biocomputing groups returned even higher results (about 80%).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a lot left to get back on the right track — especially with the New York Giants figuring things out at the top of the division — but Monday’s result could serve as the launching pad for a run in the next few weeks.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of result
Noun
  • The maturation step is where the partnership with Sohm, which began in 2024, really takes off.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Donaldson, however, is among the few YouTubers entering the most recent maturation of creators-turned-entrepreneurs because of the maintenance of multiple different corporate entities.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of maturation
Noun
  • The Valkyries made history in their inaugural season, becoming the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut year.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Scaling hypersonic composites The expansion comes alongside a broader push to strengthen the US industrial base for hypersonic systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of expansion
Noun
  • Inadequate funding and the resultant low pay for correctional officers, when compared to other law enforcement agencies, have plagued the bureau for years.
    — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Surprisingly, despite his role in the Fast & Furious franchise and the resultant persona fans project on him, Gibson is, admittedly, not interested in pursuing motorsport and had never been drifting.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of resultant

Browse Nearby Words

developing
development
developmental
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Cite this Entry

“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/development. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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