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.

"This shows that evolutionary success is not only about biological innovation -- timing and environmental context matter."

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

This approach combines anatomical features with fossil ages to estimate evolutionary relationships and divergence times.

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

"My PhD project is looking at the evolutionary relationships of these early crocodiles," explains Ewan.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Mitochondria are widely believed to descend from bacteria that long ago somehow became incorporated into one of our evolutionary ancestors.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann