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 new study finds that about one-third of long-standing "linguistic universals" are backed by strong statistical evidence when tested using modern evolutionary methods.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 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

"The addition of this Arctic species to the rhino family tree now offers new insights to our understanding of their evolutionary history."

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

Every little detail of the baby's being—what she eats, what she poops—seems an evolutionary leap.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez