devolve

verb

di-ˈvälv How to pronounce devolve (audio)
Definition of devolvenext
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 Dolly was previously a tropical storm but has since weakened and devolved to a remnant with sustained winds of 40 mph. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 What started out with a kiss between two Democratic officials in a local township office has devolved into a southwest suburban political soap opera with the potential to reshape competitive races for Congress and the Cook County Board. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 After Sasaki gave up a solo home run to Matt Olson in the first inning, the outing began to devolve in the fourth. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Many of the campaigns have devolved into arguments about the proper interpretation of theology and scripture, as well as the role people of faith and the government should play in shaping society. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
  1. deteriorate
  2. descend
  3. crumble
  4. worsen
  5. decline
Verb
  • The bank raised its price target to 19 cents per pound over three months, citing tightening inventories, India’s unexpected import program and deteriorating weather in India, Thailand and the EU.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The facility’s ceiling paint started to deteriorate above the Hobart Vulcan streamer.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • The few looks to descend the runway were in a muted neutral color palette featuring dove gray, soft browns and black leather tones.
    — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • United Airlines Flight 175, another Boeing 767 aircraft, which departed from Boston, was descending and heading for New York City.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of descend
Verb
  • Concrete barriers designed to keep cars out of the secure area crumbled as the jet, weighing more than 100 tons, headed straight for a four-lane road.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • And over the years, this utopian town, which at the beginning looked great, has completely crumbled into a world of recluses and hoarders.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi energy infrastructure drove oil prices towards the $100 a barrel mark, as fears grow that the largely dormant Middle East conflict is worsening.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The worsening economic crisis led to weakness in the labor market, allowing employers to engage in wage repression and leading to further pressure on household incomes.
    — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing.
    — JEAN-YVES KAMALE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Headen declined to claim responsibility for any of the posts.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

devolutions
devolve
devolved
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All