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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.

People who confuse reasonable limitations on their actions with violations of their rights develop a sense of entitlement and inevitable disappointment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Ideaya and Servier have agreed to share the costs to develop the therapy, with Ideaya retaining the regulatory and commercial rights for darovasertib in the U.S. and Servier receiving the same for all other territories.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

The research shows that risks related to heart health, metabolism, and inflammation do not develop in the same way across sexes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

In late November 1954, CIA director Allen Dulles emerged from a meeting with President Eisenhower with orders to develop a top secret aircraft.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

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)

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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!