Synonyms of devolve

devolve

verb

di-ˈvälv 

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value

the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorate
• descend
• crumble
• worsen
• decline
• diminish
• degenerate
• regress
• rot
• decay
• atrophy
• sink
• ebb
• weaken
• retrograde
• disintegrate
• recede
• decompose
• dwindle
• fall
• go to seed
• degrade
• wane
• reduce
• go to pot
• sag
• downsize
• putrefy
• slip
• abate
• undermine
• sour
• corrupt
• languish
• dilapidate
• lessen
• spoil
• debilitate
• fail
• de-escalate
• wilt
• waste (away)
• break down
• molder
• droop
• run down
• lower
• lag
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• intensify
• proceed
• enhance
• develop
• strengthen
• enrich
• meliorate
• heighten
• fortify
• advance
• progress
• march

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of devolve

Busch died suddenly in May, a tragic result of severe pneumonia devolving into sepsis. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

That said, devolving tropical storms can pack a punch with sporadic gusts and showers as the energy that was formerly bundled in the storm’s center releases outward. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

The game devolved from there, with sloppy fielding and poor relief pitching sending fans to the exits in the eighth and ninth. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

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

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