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Dictionary.com

developmental

ADJECTIVE
broadening
Synonyms
STRONG
advancing enlightening enriching expanding improving refining
WEAK
cultural educational
ADJECTIVE
cultural
Synonyms
STRONGEST
artistic
WEAK
adorning advancing beautifying beneficial broadening civilizing constructive corrective dignifying disciplining edifying educative elevating ennobling enriching expanding glorifying helpful humane humanizing influential inspirational instructive learned liberal liberalizing nurturing ornamenting polishing promoting raising refined refining regenerative socializing stimulating uplifting widening
ADJECTIVE
experimental
Synonyms
STRONGEST
empirical preliminary unproved
WEAK
beginning experiential first stage laboratory momentary on approval pilot preparatory primary probationary provisional speculative temporary tentative test trial trial-and-error unconcluded under probation
Antonyms
WEAK
proven tested tried
ADJECTIVE
formative
Synonyms
STRONG
determinative sensitive shaping
WEAK
immature impressible malleable moldable pliant susceptible
Antonyms
WEAK
destructive noninfluential

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.

Nathan Shatz, who earned his molecular, cellular and developmental biology degree from Michigan, is a co-founder of Milieu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

But Big Pharma has been acquisitive lately, as it seeks to stock its pipeline with developmental drugs aimed at growing market categories.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

For example, many initial vision screenings take place in the pediatrician’s office during well-child visits, which include eye and hearing screenings as well as immunizations and developmental checks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Research led by Jesse Dixon, MD, PhD, explores how DNA is arranged in three dimensions inside cells, revealing that problems with this structure can lead to cancer and developmental conditions, including autism-related disorders.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

“An atomic bomb was an intricate device, still in the developmental stage,” Compton recounted the conversation.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik