devolution

noun

ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce devolution (audio)
Definition of devolutionnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devolution Out next month, Star follows the rise of two fictional musical acts—a pop star, Ashley, and Siren8, a teen idol group—and the gradual devolution of fan admiration into obsession, and eventually, violence. — Jenny Tinghui Zhang, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2026 Several factors beyond the democratization of the presidential nominating process have driven the devolution of the Democratic and Republican parties. — David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026 The devolution of the traditional life style coincided with a surge in social problems. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025 On top of that, the devolution of NCAA amateurism presents a chance to reconsider elite player development. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
  1. deterioration
  2. degradation
  3. decline
  4. declination
  5. descent
Noun
  • But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
  • In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • Electric-vehicle owners and operators face concerns that repeated charging and discharging of a battery could accelerate battery degradation, and that use of V2G could void a battery warranty.
    — Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • This unwanted movement, known as the polysulfide shuttle effect, causes active material loss, side reactions, self-discharge, and rapid capacity degradation.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • If inflation is outpacing nominal interest rates, the real return on bonds and other income-producing assets declines or even becomes negative.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.
    — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
Definition of decline
Noun
  • The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
    — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of declination
Noun
  • The 61-year-old was treated in Greece for neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns, after a sudden cabin depressurization triggered oxygen masks and a rapid descent.
    — Costas Kantouris, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Both Carpenter and Obeng are Black, but as the lawsuit reads, Carpenter is not of either Canadian nationality or Ghanaian descent.
    — Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of descent

Browse Nearby Words

devoirs
devolution
devolutions
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Cite this Entry

“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on devolution

Nglish: Translation of devolution for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about devolution

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