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

Whether this episode develops into a genuine challenge for the presidency remains to be seen. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Anyone who develops symptoms after a tick bite or possible exposure should contact a healthcare provider. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 31 July 2026

One of the new efforts was a collaboration among IBM, RIKEN in Japan, and a small company called Qedma, which develops software that helps mitigate errors in current quantum processors. — ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026

When Dujae arrives for his grandmother’s funeral, an unexpected intimacy develops between them, gradually transforming Jin’s perception of the island, its quietly familiar rhythms and herself as summer draws toward its close. — John Hopewell, Variety, 30 July 2026

Mid-October often brings the brightest displays in Oregon, while in Washington, color generally develops during September and October, with mountain larches turning first and lower-elevation maples reaching their best color later in the season. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

When companies pathologize ordinary anxiety, a self-reinforcing cycle develops. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 30 July 2026

Three phases The plan unfolds in three phases, though the report only develops the first one, focusing on stabilization and emergency measures. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

The Vanstone fortune cannot be recouped until Magdalen finally develops a strong emotional intelligence—until her thinking and observation skills grow to match her acting skills, and then begin to work together. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026