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
During a visit in 2009 to survey for mining possibilities, an argument devolved into a violent scuffle in which one man — Javier Chocobar, who was a Chuschagasta figurehead — was shot dead, while two others were gravely wounded.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
This approach not only drives efficiency but also fosters a coherent, scalable architecture, preventing platforms from devolving into solutions tailored for a single business unit or niche requirement.
—Gaurav Dixit, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Tempers flared, and the meeting devolved into a shouting match that played out for nearly than an hour in front of television cameras.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Town halls, which originated in the New England colonies in the seventeenth century, often devolve.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
This approach not only drives efficiency but also fosters a coherent, scalable architecture, preventing platforms from devolving into solutions tailored for a single business unit or niche requirement.
—Gaurav Dixit, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Tempers flared, and the meeting devolved into a shouting match that played out for nearly than an hour in front of television cameras.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Town halls, which originated in the New England colonies in the seventeenth century, often devolve.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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The 112-year-old school building has asbestos and a deteriorating foundation.—
Erica Mosca,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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But when the levees failed, thousands of people were trapped inside as supplies dwindled and conditions deteriorated quickly.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Journalists and television crews from around the world descended on the town of Morwell when the trial began in April, with millions of Australians following proceedings live through one of several popular daily podcasts.—
Alasdair Pal,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings descend down to the shores of Lake Michigan, where Caleb Williams’ Chicago Bears await.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That this team won’t crumble in the face of adversity.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Decades of underinvestment have left the country with congested highways, crumbling bridges, crowded airports — and a disjointed passenger rail network that is underfunded and unreliable.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company travels to Rome, where Blackshirts march in the piazzas, but Duse’s health worsens.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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Checking in with a pediatrician, school counselor, or a mental health professional can provide guidance before patterns worsen.—
Adrienne Farr,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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Morris and his attorneys declined comment.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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