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
Dean is most familiar with South Carolina at this point, but UGA’s NFL development has his attention.
—
Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
Still, additional resources are needed, Sylvia said, pointing to the immediate need for two new fire stations in Metro Air Park and Delta Shores amid ongoing development.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
China’s defense ministry didn’t respond to questions about its nuclear program and the developments revealed in the satellite imagery.
—Reuters, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Before becoming the team’s third-base coach, Borg had been part of the franchise’s player development group since 2008 as a coach, manager and coordinator.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
Still, additional resources are needed, Sylvia said, pointing to the immediate need for two new fire stations in Metro Air Park and Delta Shores amid ongoing development.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
China’s defense ministry didn’t respond to questions about its nuclear program and the developments revealed in the satellite imagery.
—Reuters, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Before becoming the team’s third-base coach, Borg had been part of the franchise’s player development group since 2008 as a coach, manager and coordinator.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
Recent Examples of Synonyms for development
Noun
-
What is known today as the USACE Fellows Program, is the evolution of a World War II workforce development initiative to build an ecosystem of civilian STEM experts to lead critical infrastructure projects.—
Brandi Bufford,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
That was founded in 2005 as an evolution of what was originally As Four.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The outcome of Tuesday's Democratic primary represents the latest example of the divide among Democrats over the party's direction.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
The state has a history of substantial vote updates after Election Day that can sometimes shift the outcome of elections as late-arriving mail and drop-off votes are counted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The new drug targets mutations in the RAS gene family that normally regulates cell growth.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Set a Fertilization Schedule June kicks off the prime growth season for most plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Refreshingly, the name Tilly Norwood was seldom uttered, and that alone struck many attendees as progress.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
-
While large-scale practical quantum computers remain a work in progress, governments and technology companies increasingly view the field as a strategic industry that could shape future scientific discovery and economic competitiveness.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
But that continued dedication to masking of any kind is not merely the result of unintelligence, or misplaced hypochondria, or even being affiliated with a specific political party.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
But Cepeda and Petro on Sunday night sowed doubt in the result and claimed — so far without evidence — that hundreds of thousands of votes were manipulated and that foreign actors interfered with the result.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The maturation regimen imparts an extraordinary depth of color and a lush red-fruit complexity to the spicy pot-still spirit.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
As Norris’ spirit was approaching the maturation deadline, the pandemic hit.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, many museums are in serious financial straits, reckoning with the fiscal burden of optimistic expansions and unanticipated increases in operating costs.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Much of the space created in the 2013 expansion of the top two stories was devoted to wellness facilities (including a decent-sized pool, a rarity in Geneva hotels).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
This is because, as the authors of the study note, people holding grudges tend to feel a sense of righteousness surrounding their hurt, as well as with their experience of the resultant grudge itself.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Both aircraft were destroyed in the resultant crash with fire causing the death of four crew members on both planes.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/development. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
