Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

develop

[dih-vel-uhp] / dɪˈvɛl əp /
VERB
cultivate, prosper
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance establish evolve expand flourish grow progress promote
STRONG
age foster maturate mature mellow ripen thrive
WEAK
enroot grow up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decline decrease halt lessen retreat retrogress stop stunt
WEAK
cease circumscribe compress confine discontinue end narrow repress
VERB
expand, work out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance broaden build up cultivate deepen evolve exploit improve intensify perfect promote realize refine spread strengthen
STRONG
actualize amplify augment beautify dilate elaborate enlarge enrich extend finish heighten lengthen magnify materialize polish stretch unfold widen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage decrease destroy halt hurt ignore neglect ruin stop weaken
STRONG
abridge compress condense contract curtail cut diminish keep lessen lower maintain reduce shorten shrink spoil
WEAK
cease circumscribe confine discontinue end narrow repress
VERB
begin; occur
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquire establish form generate invest start
STRONG
arise befall betide break breed chance commence contract ensue follow go happen originate result transpire
WEAK
break out come about come off pick up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy ruin
STRONG
cause disagree end finish precede stay stop
WEAK
cease circumscribe compress confine decrease discontinue halt lessen narrow repress
VERB
unfold; be made known
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquire evolve form produce realize
STRONG
actualize disclose disentangle elaborate exhibit explain explicate foretell materialize reach recount state uncoil uncover unfurl unravel unroll untwist unwind
WEAK
account for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy fail lose neglect ruin
STRONG
complicate conceal confuse cover hide mystify obscure tangle twist wind
WEAK
cease circumscribe compress confine decrease discontinue end halt lessen narrow repress stop

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The researchers then tracked whether those individuals went on to develop dementia during the study timeframe.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

It is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, local companies and Queen's University Belfast and is also aimed at helping students develop skills in engineering and technology.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The training TPU aims to cut down the time it takes to develop frontier AI models from months to weeks, Google said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

He’s founded a production company, House Eleven10, to develop projects for himself and those performers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The project to develop these vehicles was a closely guarded secret.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Vocabulary lists containing develop

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!