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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Recent Examples of devolution
Latin America experienced such a devolution in the mid-twentieth century.
—
Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
Keys to economic rejuvenation in these left-behind places are the devolution of decision-making powers to local and regional authorities, as well as having sufficient financial resources to implement the resulting bottom-up decisions.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
Keys to economic rejuvenation in these left-behind places are the devolution of decision-making powers to local and regional authorities, as well as having sufficient financial resources to implement the resulting bottom-up decisions.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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It can also be used to describe the content itself as something likely to lead to intellectual deterioration.—
Mia Thurow,
jsonline.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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In 2025, activist groups from Mallorca wrote an open letter urging travelers not to visit the island during the peak summer season—an attempt to alleviate the worsening cost-of-living crisis, the lack of housing, and environmental deterioration.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Once opened, maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth and flavor degradation.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Aug. 2025
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Suppression repair is a critical part of firefighting efforts, to reduce erosion and soil degradation in the areas used in the firefighting efforts.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Education leaders are anticipating declines in enrollment due to visa application barriers, student decisions to enroll in another country’s institution, potential problems at a U.S. port-of-entry and concerns about visa status while in the United States.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Democrats have been quick to argue that violent crime is on a 30-year decline.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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She was born and raised in Hawaii and is of Vietnamese descent on her mother’s side, as well as having Polish and Irish ancestry on her father’s side, who is American.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
27 Aug. 2025
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The midfielder, born in London of Israeli and Irish descent, represents the Republic of Ireland and has seven international caps.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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