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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Moshier has established a leadership development company and says his years with Murphy help him in the workplace as far as valuing candor and knowing when to have tough conversations. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The difference between organizations that develop leaders effectively and those that spend without return is whether the development is anchored to an honest external baseline. — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 All told, 75% of Americans say their feelings about the growth and development of AI technology are closer to fear and concern than hope and excitement, and 43% feel that way strongly. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 The event opens doors to development, financing, co-production, and industry support. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 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 initiative includes a retrospective exhibition that traces the evolution of beachwear and a special opening-night show that combines live music, imagery and technology to demonstrate the durability of garments and innovation in textiles.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The moves represent the next stage of JWS’ evolution from a media brand into the central digital infrastructure for women’s sports, offering a single destination to follow the games, teams and leagues.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 16 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 progress came roughly a year after the program received funding for its initial engineering, manufacturing and development phase.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Members will measure their progress using the IUCN’s Red List and its Green Status of Species, the fund said.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of progress
Noun
  • Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Some core symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as avoidance and a lack of motivation, can be seen as the results of a brain stuck in the dark room, according to Friston.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/development. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All