Synonyms

developing

American

[dih-vel-uh-ping] / dɪˈvɛl ə pɪŋ /

adjective

undergoing development; growing; evolving.
(of a nation or geographical area) having a standard of living or level of industrial production well below that possible with financial or technical aid; not yet highly industrialized.

the developing world.

Other Word Forms

nondeveloping adjective
self-developing adjective
undeveloping adjective

Etymology

Origin of developing

First recorded in 1765–75; develop + -ing ²

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.

His research includes developing new ways to identify signs of awareness in patients who appear unresponsive, helping to push the boundaries of how scientists detect and understand conscious states.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

"I was in so much pain," Donavan said, adding that she began developing flu-like symptoms.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Viridian is developing a competing treatment named Elegrobart.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

He then shared the AI’s outputs with his attorneys, who used them in developing their strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Deane’s reports in invisible ink were passed to John Jay, who had the developing chemical that made the writing visible.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023