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
There, in the infield, stood those who were connected by unconditional love to Busch, the NASCAR all-time great who died suddenly Thursday at age 41 due to severe pneumonia that devolved into sepsis.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2026
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
The two tag team partners devolved into hockey punches, and Statlander got the better of them.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This year, the Bucks devolved into a 50-loss lottery team, snapping a nine-year playoff streak.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2026
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
The two tag team partners devolved into hockey punches, and Statlander got the better of them.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This year, the Bucks devolved into a 50-loss lottery team, snapping a nine-year playoff streak.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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As her health deteriorated, Amy's disciples were led to believe her death would herald a celestial exit, Heaven's Gate-style (via UFO), paving the way for society's salvation.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
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Even better, people taking the drug had about five more months before their quality of life deteriorated compared to those on chemotherapy.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
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In humans, the larynx has descended far down into the neck.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Hyde has McCallany playing Detective Grimes, a haunted investigator descending into the decaying underbelly of a crumbling metropolis while hunting a brutal serial killer.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
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They were set in crumbling castles and moldering dungeons—that is, amid the rubble of a collapsing social order.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Several years ago, during a medical emergency of my own, I had already been evaluated by a physician and advised to seek emergency care if my symptoms worsened.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
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This is every summer, right now, for the 200,000 people who live here — a public health emergency that is worsening with the global climate crisis and exacerbated even further by an onslaught of irresponsible development.—
Daniela Flores,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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His Democratic Party then went further by pushing a special counsel that could cancel the charges against him outright -- a move Lee declined to endorse or oppose publicly.—
Joohee Cho,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
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Writers and reporters at the conference are learning how to improve their coverage of topics, including changes to education at the federal and state levels, the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and declining enrollment.—
Kellye Lynn,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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