Which word describes the act of causing growth or progress?

The word "develop" is associated with the act of causing growth or progress. It involves nurturing, fostering, or enhancing something so that it can become more advanced or mature. In various contexts, such as personal growth, skills enhancement, or even in business, development is seen as a positive process that leads to improvement and advancement.

The other options suggest actions that are contrary to growth. For example, "hinder" implies obstructing or slowing down progress, while "neglect" refers to failing to care for or pay attention to something, which can lead to stagnation. Lastly, "restrict" means to limit or confine, which is also counterproductive to the idea of fostering growth or development.