as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Recent Examples of devolve
Couples who pod together get divorced together. Damian and Giannina, Season 1
After a connection in the pods fostered a sweet double proposal (and a horny start in Mexico), Damian and Giannina quickly devolved into one of the most volatile couples in the bunch.
—
Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 5 May 2025
As summer approaches, the dream of a peaceful beach escape can quickly devolve into the reality of battling over limited parking spots, securing the last beach umbrella and wrangling the best lunch reservations.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
This effectively devolved political power to economically strategic actors.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
But Roberts’ mentor and friend had devolved over two decades from Angels’ World Series champion pitching coach to Dodgers punching bag.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 5 May 2025
As summer approaches, the dream of a peaceful beach escape can quickly devolve into the reality of battling over limited parking spots, securing the last beach umbrella and wrangling the best lunch reservations.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
This effectively devolved political power to economically strategic actors.
—Mark I. Vail, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
But Roberts’ mentor and friend had devolved over two decades from Angels’ World Series champion pitching coach to Dodgers punching bag.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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Fiscal Policy Without exception, the fiscal position of large countries, including the United States, as measured by government debt relative to GDP, deteriorated due to the impact of spending during the pandemic.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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But the age and condition of the fleet could deteriorate further, even with an infusion of cash to buy new equipment, because the wait times are so long.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The intense setup here is fairly straightforward as these types of sci-fi mystery shows go, with Buenos Aires residents going about their evenings when a sudden nightmarish snowfall descends over the metropolis, killing millions indiscriminately.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
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Back in the 1800s, fortune seekers from around the world descended upon California, lured by the promise of gold buried in riverbeds and mountainsides.—
Joseph Olorunyomi,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The strikes overwhelmed air defense systems, and the city was rife with fires burning, buildings crumbling, and other debris from the attacks.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
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The myth that Medicaid is for 'someone else' is crumbling fast.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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There are also mental health impacts with worsening anxiety, stress, and depression in the hotter summer months.—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Relations have only worsened in recent years, as Beijing has leveraged its budding economic and military power to ramp up pressure on its neighbor.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
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Full-time workers declined by 623,000, while part-timers rose by 33,000.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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