evolutionary
5 synonyms and 4 antonyms for evolutionary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to biological evolution or the theory of evolution.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From evolution + -ary.
Full origin of evolutionary →Frequently asked questions
What does “evolutionary” mean?
The word “evolutionary” means relating to biological evolution or the theory of evolution. In plain terms, having to do with evolution, or happening gradually step by step.
How do you pronounce “evolutionary”?
“Evolutionary” is pronounced ee-vuh-LOO-shuhn-ree (/ˌiː.vəˈluː.ʃən.ɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “evolutionary” in a sentence?
Here is “evolutionary” used in a sentence: “Scientists study the evolutionary history of whales.”
What is another word for “evolutionary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “evolutionary” include evolutional.
What is the opposite of “evolutionary”?
The opposite of “evolutionary” — its antonyms — are nonevolutional, non-evolutional, nonevolutionary and non-evolutionary.
What part of speech is “evolutionary”?
“Evolutionary” is an adjective.
Is “evolutionary” a common word?
“Evolutionary” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “evolutionary” have?
“Evolutionary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to biological evolution or the theory of evolution.
What is the difference between evolutionary and revolutionary change?
Evolutionary change happens gradually, developing step by step over time rather than through sudden upheaval. Revolutionary change, by contrast, is sudden, dramatic, and often disruptive, overturning what came before rather than building on it slowly.
When is evolutionary used outside of biology?
Beyond its biological sense relating to evolution and species development, evolutionary is often used to describe gradual development in other fields, such as "evolutionary changes" in technology, business, or design, meaning improvements introduced incrementally rather than all at once.
Is evolutionary the same as evolutional?
Evolutionary and evolutional are close synonyms with the same core meaning, relating to evolution or gradual development. Evolutionary is by far the more common and standard form in modern English.