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
But the humor in their situation never devolves into slapstick, even when Apollo, left on his own, tears up the apartment.
—
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), originally established to revitalize our city, has long outlived its purpose, devolving instead into a slush fund that favors private interests over the needs of taxpayers.
—Audrey Fesik, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
In her view, success means working herself out of a job by devolving education governance entirely to states and localities.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Negotiations quickly devolved as some protesters occupied a university building before administrators requested police enter campus and conduct mass arrests.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), originally established to revitalize our city, has long outlived its purpose, devolving instead into a slush fund that favors private interests over the needs of taxpayers.
—Audrey Fesik, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
In her view, success means working herself out of a job by devolving education governance entirely to states and localities.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Negotiations quickly devolved as some protesters occupied a university building before administrators requested police enter campus and conduct mass arrests.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
-
Israel-Turkey relations deteriorated in 2010 after Israeli naval commandos intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The ministry said that due to the sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S., as well as the U.S.-China trade war, the growth outlook for both the U.S. and China will deteriorate.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Air enters through these grilles, descends vertically some 30 feet (10 meters) and then passes horizontally over four massive swimming pool size water baths, each with a maximum depth of 6.5 feet (two meters).—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
In an era when political discourse so often descends into outrage and division — on cable news, in Congress, even in school board races — the quiet decency shown in Skokie feels all the more remarkable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The pitching staff began to crumble beneath a lack of reliable depth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Both gentlemen were trying to win their first Green Jacket. DeChambeau crumbled while McIlroy had a rollercoaster kind of day, prevailing to win The Masters and complete the career grand slam.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The administration’s threat of tariffs on pharmaceuticals risks political backlash, worsening drug shortages and future battles over who pays.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Additionally, 92% of workers are concerned about a potential recession, and 52% foresee burnout rates worsening this year.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The hospital declined to say whether Ikner was one of their patients.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
-
County officials declined to comment on the civil lawsuit.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share