Synonyms of develops

develops

verb

present tense third-person singular of develop

1

as in unfolds

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

• unfolds
• evolves
• progresses
• grows
• elaborates
• emerges
• proceeds
• matures
• ripens
• marches
• fares
• gets on
• advances
• forges
• materializes
• gets along
• plays out
• blossoms

2

as in acquires

to come to have gradually

the youngster developed a taste for green olives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acquires
• cultivates
• gets
• adopts
• forms
• gains
• obtains
• embraces
• reaches
• absorbs
• achieves
• attains
• promotes
• takes on
• takes in
• fosters
• nurtures
• nourishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses
• abandons
• forsakes
• rejects
• sheds
• deserts
• casts
• discards
• unloads
• ditches
• dumps
• sloughs
• throws away
• throws out
• flings (off or away)
• scraps
• jettisons
• shucks (off)
• junks

3

as in grows

to become mature

the wine is developing nicely in the new oak barrels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grows
• progresses
• ages
• matures
• ripens
• grows up
• evolves
• softens
• flowers
• flourishes
• mellows
• unfolds
• blooms
• opens
• blossoms
• burgeons
• gets along
• advances
• gets on
• grays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deteriorates
• worsens
• decays
• declines
• degenerates
• weakens
• sinks
• dries
• fades
• wanes
• shrivels
• droops
• sags
• reverts
• withers
• regresses
• returns
• wastes (away)
• flags
• wilts
• lapses
• retrogresses
• backslides

4

as in expands

to express more fully and in greater detail

marketing people developed the initial idea into a complete promotional campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expands
• supplements
• amplifies
• complements
• enlarges (on or upon)
• elaborates (on)
• adds (to)
• dilates (on or upon)
• fleshes (out)
• expatiates
• runs on
• discourses
• rambles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortens
• condenses
• summarizes
• compresses
• outlines
• contracts
• abbreviates
• abridges
• sums up

5

as in forges

to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort

outside consultants helped the company develop an effective marketing strategy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forges
• creates
• generates
• achieves
• devises
• carves (out)
• constructs
• crafts
• works up
• grinds (out)
• composes
• brings forth
• hammers out
• works out
• invents
• conceives
• thrashes (out)
• engineers
• manufactures
• originates
• forms
• models
• concocts
• accomplishes
• shapes
• turns out
• churns out
• tailors
• throws up
• fabricates
• hatches
• carries out
• contrives
• cranks out
• effects
• fashions
• cooks (up)
• cobbles (together or up)
• mints
• frames
• brings off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• destroys
• dismantles
• demolishes
• tears down
• undoes
• ruins
• razes
• wrecks
• unmakes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of develops

The problem develops when a female fly lays its eggs in open wounds and mucus. — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Lagree’s Megaformer, introduced in the early 2000s, has two sliding platforms and was built for higher-intensity work that develops muscular endurance. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

The duo previously helmed the indie horror movie Ganymede, about a wrestler who develops a crush on his openly gay classmate. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

If severe weather develops, damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazard. — Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

The German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company isn’t supplying them aspirin—they’re a lead company that develops agricultural technology that farmers rely on. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 9 July 2026

The under-the-radar agency certifies voting systems and develops guidelines for state and local election administration, among its charges. — Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 9 July 2026

Temperatures will start to climb to more uncomfortable levels on Friday as a large area of high pressure develops. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in plasma cells in the bone marrow, according to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026