Another Word for Develop: 19 Synonyms with Examples
To develop is to grow, build up or create over time. It is a broad word; alternatives show whether something is growing naturally, being designed or getting worse.
As a verb: grow or progress
As a verb: create or work out
As a verb: begin to have
- acquire
- gain
- pick up
- contract
- form
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How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- grow
- Gets bigger or stronger, often naturally.
- evolve
- Changes gradually over a long time.
- mature
- Becomes fully developed or adult.
- design
- Plans how something will look or work.
- formulate
- Formal; develops a plan, policy or theory carefully.
- acquire
- Begins to have a skill, habit or reputation.
Example sentences
- grow: The market stall grew into a chain of three shops.
- evolve: The festival has evolved from a village fair into a regional event.
- mature: Her writing matured noticeably in her second novel.
- design: Engineers designed a quieter fan for the classroom heaters.
- formulate: The council formulated a plan to reduce traffic near schools.
- acquire: Over the summer he acquired a taste for strong coffee.
Opposite of develop
- decline
- regress
- shrink
- stagnate
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “develop”. Check the meaning before you use one.
verb: germinate, get
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “develop”?
The most useful alternatives are “grow”, “evolve”, “advance”, “progress”, “mature”. For the main sense (grow or progress), “grow” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “grow” and “evolve”?
grow: Gets bigger or stronger, often naturally. evolve: Changes gradually over a long time.
What is the opposite of “develop”?
Common antonyms are “decline”, “regress”, “shrink”, “stagnate”.