as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual devolution of the neighborhood from a thriving community of close-knit families to a drug-ridden slum
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devolution
It certainly isn’t made better when her friends start grilling him about his participation in the devolution of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
Follow Pope Francis’ example April 23, 2025 Gomez’s devolution was especially dispiriting because L.A. Catholic leaders have taught their American peers how to embrace Latino immigrants ever since Archbishop John Cantwell helped refugees from Mexico’s Cristero War resettle in the city in the 1920s.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Huerter stands by his explanation for his devolution with the Kings and return to form with the Bulls.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
The increasingly zero-sum battle for court appointments reflects this devolution in legislative politics.
—Jonathan Schlefer, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
Follow Pope Francis’ example April 23, 2025 Gomez’s devolution was especially dispiriting because L.A. Catholic leaders have taught their American peers how to embrace Latino immigrants ever since Archbishop John Cantwell helped refugees from Mexico’s Cristero War resettle in the city in the 1920s.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Huerter stands by his explanation for his devolution with the Kings and return to form with the Bulls.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
The increasingly zero-sum battle for court appointments reflects this devolution in legislative politics.
—Jonathan Schlefer, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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With the deterioration and rise of crime in South Beach in the late 1970s, as well as inflation and the shrinking tourist business, the Famous was forced to close in 1981.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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While analysts do not expect the rift to escalate into direct conflict, even a limited deterioration could carry far-reaching consequences.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That selectivity creates a stable interface and avoids many of the degradation pathways that plague liquid-electrolyte cells.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
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Scarce arable land and soil degradation further constrain food production.—
Mark Banchereau,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Wholesale market prices for milk, cheese and butter have been lower than normal for about a year, but had more of a significant decline in the past six months, Cain said.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
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Today, similar prudence animates concerns about NATO and broader trans-Atlantic ties in an era when Europe has undergone profound transformations through mass migration, supranational governance, demographic decline, and shifting cultural priorities.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
19 Nov. 2025
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McLaughlin characterized the Fullerton officer’s response as a declination to help.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 during a descent into conflict that continues to leave the east African country fragile.—
Omar Faruk,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, are expected to visit Greenland in early February, according to The Associated Press.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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