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
News Peg Dozens were arrested in protests around Los Angeles over the weekend as demonstrations devolved into violent clashes with law enforcement and scenes of chaos, including police in tactical gear and burning vehicles.
—
Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Trump’s break-up with Musk devolved into a war of insults.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
The quiet, peaceful march in Boulder, Colorado, quickly devolved into chaos after a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people at the plaza on fire in an antisemitic attack.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
David Goldenberg, Midwest regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said that calls for Israel to curtail military action have too often devolved into antisemitism.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Trump’s break-up with Musk devolved into a war of insults.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
The quiet, peaceful march in Boulder, Colorado, quickly devolved into chaos after a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people at the plaza on fire in an antisemitic attack.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
David Goldenberg, Midwest regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said that calls for Israel to curtail military action have too often devolved into antisemitism.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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The Astros traded Pressly as a pure salary dump, influenced in part by his deteriorating relationship with general manager Dana Brown.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Kenya’s deteriorating economy — youth unemployment stands at 67% — has turned the country into a tinderbox: Yesterday’s protests were preceded by violent demonstrations against the killing of a blogger while in police custody, leaving many seeking answers.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Last year, Japan saw record numbers of international visitors, many of whom descend on regions like Kyoto to buy high-grade matcha rarely available overseas.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
20 June 2025
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The sixty-eight-year-old Harold Boyd was lifting weights inside his modest home gym when the brothers descended the basement steps.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Verb
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As the Blatter regime down the road at FIFA began to crumble, Platini became the heir apparent.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
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But the friendship crumbled under the weight of ego, the 2016 election, marathon training, and Carole’s younger boyfriend, Adam.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Maybe Meta made subtle changes in its training recipe that accidentally worsened the memorization problem.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
Verb
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But the league declined to comment on any punishment for the official.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Exports from Japan fall in May Japan exports in May declined 1.7% year over year, according to data from Japan's trade ministry released Wednesday.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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