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
On top of that, the devolution of NCAA amateurism presents a chance to reconsider elite player development.
—
Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Under the Trump administration, the devolution of the American ideal has accelerated in some ways that could only exist in the unique context of the current moment, and others that mirror the predictable, centuries old ouroboros of political power and decline.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
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
But as devolution boosted the visibility of Scotland’s saltire and Wales’ dragon in the 1990s, the Cross of St. George gained new prominence in England.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Under the Trump administration, the devolution of the American ideal has accelerated in some ways that could only exist in the unique context of the current moment, and others that mirror the predictable, centuries old ouroboros of political power and decline.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
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
But as devolution boosted the visibility of Scotland’s saltire and Wales’ dragon in the 1990s, the Cross of St. George gained new prominence in England.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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The global public square has been getting coarser for years, and social media has played a big part in the deterioration.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
1 June 2026
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The damage required removal of the affected portion in hopes of preventing further deterioration.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
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This collection of poems—Orr’s thirteenth—bears bitter witness to environmental degradation, moral corruption, and the aging of a body and of a generation, all viewed from a bird’s eye, wrapped in the language and tone of myth.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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And a 2024 study found that a larger-than-expected proportion of physicians are leaving after fulfilling their service obligations, citing pay disparity, administrative burden, and clinical skill degradation as key drivers.—
Allison DeAngelis,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Noun
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SoftBank Group dropped over 10% amid a broader decline in Asia tech stocks.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The Phillies, off to an even worse start at 9-19, relieved Rob Thomson of his managerial duties Tuesday, and with Cora’s declination, named bench coach Don Mattingly interim skipper.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.—
Ken B. Morales,
ProPublica,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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People of Somali descent accounted for less than 3% of arrests during the operation.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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Back to back Cuban winners Toledo was crowned by the previous year’s winner, Naisha Nardo, a young woman of Cuban descent also born in Miami.—
Sarah Moreno
May 31,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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