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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Once a display of fine Dutch craftsmanship and cutting-edge marine engineering, Phi is now uninsured, no longer in class, and showing signs of deterioration, including weather damage and scaffolding on deck.—
India Brown,
Robb Report,
29 July 2025
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Revs +6%, net income +11% The primary concern has been rapid deterioration in sales of Eylea, which accounts for roughly a third of Regeneron’s sales.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The degradation of individual and societal health spirals downward while the most powerful controllers of the medical and pharmaceutical industries thrive.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
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The degradation and genocide of Indigenous Americans on the mainland is widely known.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The decline comes as the measles outbreak continues to grow, sickening more people than at any time since it was declared eliminated.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Disney’s entertainment division had revenue of $10.7 billion, up 1 percent, and operating income of $1 billion, down 15 percent, due to declines in the linear TV networks, offset by the growth in streaming and some improvements in content licensing.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 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 changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Lopez, 64, has consistently voiced outrage over the controversial raids, and previously called on the MLB team to voice their support for immigrants and people of Latino descent within their community.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The singer, the first artist of Chilean descent to sign with Sony Music Latin, made her mark by nabbing a pair of platinum singles and a Latin Grammy nomination for best new artist.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.
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