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 Since the war has devolved into a quagmire, Kushner and Witkoff have been relegated to a secondary role in peace talks; Vance took the lead in the latest round, this summer. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 The book takes cues from both Song of Solomon and Sula—a revenge side plot in Song takes center stage and devolves in a Shakespearean fashion. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 Twenty-five years later, Diane Sawyer can still remember the morning of September 11, 2001, when a standard Good Morning America broadcast with coanchor Charlie Gibson devolved into tragedy. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026 On Wednesday, the board’s conversation devolved into squabbling before Gaytán could even present her allegations to the directors. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve

Verb

Relations between the two countries have since deteriorated, partly over Abiy’s desire for sovereign access to the Eritrean seaport of Assab.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
The latest contingent is arriving as Haiti confronts a deteriorating security and humanitarian environment and struggles to organize its first general elections in more than a decade.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

Cooler weather is forecast to quickly descend into the Treasure Valley.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026
Fall colors descend by elevation, starting at elevations above 10,000 feet above sea level in September and peaking at the highest elevations around the fall equinox.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

The agency spokesperson says that the anechoic chamber hadn’t been upgraded since 1997 and that its microwave-absorbing foam spires were crumbling.

— Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
The planters are original to the stadium’s 1962 construction, and many had crumbled badly enough over the decades to need painstaking repair.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumble

Verb

Because of the pain from tooth damage, the may have upped their betel nut consumption, ultimately worsening the addiction.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Holzmann said the worsening economic conditions are pushing the Kast administration to race against the clock to translate medium- and long-term initiatives into concrete actions that have a direct impact on citizens’ pockets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolve

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