developed

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vel·​oped di-ˈve-ləpt How to pronounce developed (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of developednext
: having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living
a developed country

developed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of develop

Synonyms

Adjective

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Examples of developed in a Sentence

Adjective The disease is almost unheard of in developed countries. The younger plant has a less developed root system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Many developed countries, including the United States, are recording their lowest birth rates in generations—a shift that signals long-term workforce shortages, strains on public services and the dominance of aging populations. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 The more developed area is primarily along the Fox River Valley corridor, with municipalities like Oswego and Yorkville along it. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Algorithms tend to prioritize profiles based on developed markets, and verification systems rarely account for the nuances of African educational institutions or work history. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 10 July 2025 So the rest of the world looked at China as an under developed country, quite poor and not very sophisticated. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for developed

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see develop

First Known Use

Adjective

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of developed was in 1949

Phrases Containing developed

Rhymes for developed

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Browse Nearby Words

developable surface
developed
developed black BH
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Cite this Entry

“Developed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developed. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

developed

adjective
de·​vel·​oped di-ˈvel-əpt How to pronounce developed (audio)
: having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living
a developed country

More from Merriam-Webster on developed

Nglish: Translation of developed for Spanish Speakers

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