1
as in evolution
the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced
the development of an idea into a marketable product
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause
a development that the writers of the law never anticipated or intended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in growth
the process of becoming mature
a tulip's development from a bulb into a flower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of development
Long-Term Impact Through Infrastructure Investment Sustained economic development depends on building systems that surpass individual projects.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The play of Jessie Eldridge — Boston’s trade-deadline acquisition — has been one of the major recent developments.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The prospect of Diaz-Balart representing part of the county is a welcome development for Diana Taub, president of the Southwest Broward Republican Organization.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Over the next four months, Ohio State will work behind the scenes to answer any lingering questions about its roster, rotations and development.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The play of Jessie Eldridge — Boston’s trade-deadline acquisition — has been one of the major recent developments.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The prospect of Diaz-Balart representing part of the county is a welcome development for Diana Taub, president of the Southwest Broward Republican Organization.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Over the next four months, Ohio State will work behind the scenes to answer any lingering questions about its roster, rotations and development.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for development
Recent Examples of Synonyms for development
Noun
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As storms move east into Arkansas and the lower Mississippi Valley later in the day, forecasters expect some evolution into larger storm clusters, which may shift the dominant threat toward more widespread damaging winds while still supporting hail and isolated tornadoes.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The evolution of the Anglo-American Special Relationship underscores important events of that global total war, and the Cold War and post-Cold War eras that have followed.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The uncounted ballots would not have affected the outcome of the November statewide special election for Proposition 50, the county office said in a news release Wednesday.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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The outcomes were especially positive for those with lung cancer.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Americans watched liberty’s growth with parental pride.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Steve Randazzo, chief growth officer for BusPatrol, told the Sun Sentinel that the allegation of faulty ticketing was more nuanced than how it was portrayed.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Choose one clear step forward, and let that consistency shape your progress in a steady way over time while staying grounded in your priorities.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Expressing support for open primaries to a national audience is an important first step, but vocalizing this support after the legislative session has ended is less effective than concrete action while the session is in progress.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Our justice system depends on public confidence, and, as a result, the rules governing lawyers in every state are strict.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The Sun open the regular season Friday with a road rematch against the Liberty, and the team has some big decisions to make after Sunday’s result with final rosters due Thursday.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Members of the olive family, Oleaceae, lilacs are well suited to life in cold climates—in fact, the chill of winter is essential to their bud development and maturation.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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The recent Glengoyne Mizunara (another superb whisky) was finished for a full six years in this type of wood, but that pales in comparison to this particular component’s maturation journey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In addition to the semi-private wait areas and a dedicated family lobby, the expansion also added five rooms designated for initial intake assessments and two dedicated procedure rooms.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
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Tarleton State’s Fort Worth expansion plans come as several other Texas universities have also set their sights on improving their presence in the city.—
Samuel O’Neal
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The resultant panic attack lands her back in the psychiatrist’s office.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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Did Trump not realize what Iran’s reaction would be to being attacked — closing the Strait of Hormuz and a resultant global economic impact?—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Development.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/development. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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