evolutionary

[ev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee, ee-vuh-] / ˌɛv əˈlu ʃəˌnɛr i, ˌi və- /

ADJECTIVE

pertaining to evolution or development

Synonyms

STRONGEST

developmental metamorphic mutative transformative

STRONG

changing growing progressive transmutative

WEAK

generative revolutionary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

extinct stagnant stunted

STRONG

dormant idle inert

WEAK

arrested frozen

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.

"A similar evolutionary pattern has been documented in other animal groups," said Lerosey-Aubril.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

The research team constructed the first evolutionary tree for decapodiformes based on genome sequences from nearly all major lineages.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

To determine how this species fits into the evolutionary history of humans, the researchers used a Bayesian "tip-dating" method.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

"There will be an evolutionary path to building humanity's first permanent surface outpost beyond Earth, and we will take the world along with us."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

They were the ones we could evolve and sustain through the early millions of years of our evolutionary history, when the total human population was tiny and fragmented.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond