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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devolve
In their absence, political life devolves into performance, identity assertion, and mutual suspicion.
—
Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
In California, a trans track and field athlete's dominance caused postseason meets to devolve into political rallies.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
In California, a trans track and field athlete's dominance caused postseason meets to devolve into political rallies.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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The price of gold, long understood to be the investor’s refuge against a deteriorating dollar, is sounding an alarm.—
Bruce Yandle,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
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When those conditions are absent, performance deteriorates quickly.—
Katerin Le Folcalvez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trail stays level early on and crosses the road a couple of times before descending through a grove of Arizona cypress to a shallow drainage.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Senate’s negotiations on reopening the government are descending into another impasse.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Along with everything else, Johnson sought to erase the Murphy’s Law mentality of a team that always seemed to find ways to crumble in big moments.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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McKnight was temporarily living in a crumbling budget hotel nearby.—
Saumya Roy,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The city said the decision was a result of several years worth of mounting safety concerns, ordinance violations and residential complaints about the vacant structure’s worsening state.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When asked about its plans, McDonald's declined to comment to Fox News Digital.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Due to ongoing litigation, the airline declined to comment further.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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