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
As with pretty much everything involving California governance, discerning the state’s election results can devolve into a big, unruly mess.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
What begins as a desperate family bonding trip rapidly devolves into savage violence and brutal psychological warfare.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2026
Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
What begins as a desperate family bonding trip rapidly devolves into savage violence and brutal psychological warfare.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 June 2026
Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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Her mother, however, had been deteriorating from Parkinson’s and dementia for four years.—
Wes Kilgore,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Cutting prices now could make the situation even more dire, deteriorating already disastrous profit margins.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Each spring the skies over central Nebraska fill with a special sound—a rolling, trumpeting, almost prehistoric chorus—as a slew of sandhill cranes descend on the wide and shallow reaches of the Platte River.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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The Bay Area missed out on hosting powerhouse nations such as Germany, Spain, Brazil or France, but the eight countries set to descend on the region still have a healthy amount of star power on their rosters, even if there is no Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal to be seen.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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But his empire began to crumble in 2022 when FTX filed for bankruptcy after experiencing billions of dollars in net withdrawals, fueling panic in the crypto industry.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Archer decided to visit a doctor in September 2022 when his symptoms worsened, but doctors initially weren't too concerned.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
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On Monday night the Pacifica City Council extended an emergency declaration over the pier's condition, which has worsened from cracks in the concrete to a large chasm.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Ohtani declined a post-game interview request Thursday.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
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The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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