DEVOLVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

devolve

verb

di-ˈvälv

Definition of devolve

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of devolve But things quickly devolved, and once again scoring seemed to make little sense leading up to yet another hard-to-watch elimination. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 India’s first bullet train is yet to transport a single passenger 10 years after the joint project with Japan broke ground, as the undertaking devolves into sniping and recriminations. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 But Burnham and Healey have also said easing living costs, devolving political power to local authorities and raising defense spending remain priorities. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 Eventually, her story devolves into a desperate search for recognition. — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve

Verb

In the 1990s, plans to demolish the deteriorating site and replace it with an underground car park sparked fierce opposition from local residents and traders, who successfully campaigned to save it.

— Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
How much longer the current cycle can continue may depend on market breadth, which has deteriorated.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

But this morning an air of foreboding awakened me, and my little fishing barometer was already descending past the 29 mark.

— Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Authorities say Riek and his passengers were flying to Menominee from Kenosha, and the NTSB said Riek reported icing on the wings and needed to descend.

— Frankie McLister, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

By Saturday night, Long Beach reported that seawater had entered homes and into streets, with the city’s Peninsula neighborhood being hard hit, and its boardwalk crumbling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
As Ray goes down the rabbit hole, the shiny facade of Metropia and Megamax (which is, notably and obviously evil from the start) begin to crumble.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

The 20 countries at greatest risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis, ranked by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) annually in our Emergency Watchlist, represent just 12% of the global population, but 90% of those in humanitarian need.

— David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Both have become tools for wealthy families seeking easier travel or a fallback if political and economic conditions worsen at home.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

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devolutions

devolve

devolved

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“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolve

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