Develops (7)

I think it could be either:

becomes

evolves

'develops' is the definition.
('evolve' can be a synonym of 'develop')

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for evolves that I've seen before include "Develops gradually, perhaps over millennia" , "is on the increase" , "Develops by degrees" , "Gradually develops into over time" .)

I've seen this clue in the Penny Press, the King Feature Syndicate, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Evening Standard.

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