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
The war really was devolving into the eastern Children’s Crusade.
—
Charles Pellegrino, Deadline, 31 July 2025
The Hall of Fame Game usually devolves into a defense-first affair.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Brussels had been preparing for a no-deal scenario if the trade talks devolved ahead of Aug. 1.
—Erin Doherty,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 27 July 2025
After 9/11, the domestic airline industry devolved into pure carriage, stripping away all comforts in the name of safety—and profit.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Charles Pellegrino, Deadline, 31 July 2025
The Hall of Fame Game usually devolves into a defense-first affair.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Brussels had been preparing for a no-deal scenario if the trade talks devolved ahead of Aug. 1.
—Erin Doherty,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 27 July 2025
After 9/11, the domestic airline industry devolved into pure carriage, stripping away all comforts in the name of safety—and profit.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.—
Kate Vitasek,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Video of the rescue shows authorities descending toward the rocky coastline with crashing waves as the rescuer secures both hikers before the helicopter lifts them into the air and takes them to safety.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
5 Aug. 2025
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The cybersecurity community has descended once again on Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for Black Hat USA 2025—and the mood feels different this year.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ignoring that second part, Irakli contacts Lisa’s editor and discovers that her as-yet-unfinished assignment is a photo essay on the crumbling football pitches of rural Georgia.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
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Also getting a major glow-up in the remaining four episodes is a large, crumbling Victorian in the northern part of Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The company behind the Warner Bros. studio, the HBO Max streaming service and cable networks including CNN and HGTV saw improving results for its streaming operations and production studios, even as conditions for its traditional TV networks appeared to worsen.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
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If the body is already in a state of chronic stress, for example, intense workouts can actually worsen the condition.—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the complaint, which was filed in March 2025.—
Mary Jo Pitzl,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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The Current declined to comment and referred all requests to the NWSL.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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