as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Recent Examples of devolved
Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show.
—
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Other demonstrations have devolved into clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
California’s High-Speed Rail has devolved into a case study of bureaucratic incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
There, in the infield, stood those who were connected by unconditional love to Busch, the NASCAR all-time great who died suddenly Thursday at age 41 due to severe pneumonia that devolved into sepsis.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2026
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
The ground attack eventually devolved into a double ankle lock, where both Mox and O’Reilly had the hold locked in on one another.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This year, the Bucks devolved into a 50-loss lottery team, snapping a nine-year playoff streak.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
The two hit it off but eventually devolved into an abusive relationship fueled by drinking.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Other demonstrations have devolved into clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
California’s High-Speed Rail has devolved into a case study of bureaucratic incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
There, in the infield, stood those who were connected by unconditional love to Busch, the NASCAR all-time great who died suddenly Thursday at age 41 due to severe pneumonia that devolved into sepsis.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2026
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
The ground attack eventually devolved into a double ankle lock, where both Mox and O’Reilly had the hold locked in on one another.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This year, the Bucks devolved into a 50-loss lottery team, snapping a nine-year playoff streak.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
The two hit it off but eventually devolved into an abusive relationship fueled by drinking.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved
Verb
-
Analysts say the White House would favor a right-wing candidate, and that a victory for either Valencia or de la Espriella would probably mean a return to closer cooperation with Washington on security policy, after relations deteriorated under Petro.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
Regarding their own industries, CEO assessments about current conditions and expectations in six months deteriorated since last quarter.—
Sarah Min,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
In video posted from Kathmandu on Wednesday, Thrall said that the Polish climber was battling frostbite and had descended with the Sherpa guide Thrall was climbing with, leaving Hillary Dawa and him to descend together.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
British climber Chris Thrall, who had descended with Dawa Sherpa from high on the mountain, said the guide stopped briefly to rest during the difficult descent but never caught back up with the group.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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As Liam Tharme explains, the strategy employed by Slot at Anfield had faltered badly, if not crumbled completely.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Ivar flattened Psycho Clown in the corner before Psycho crumbled prematurely.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The Covid pandemic worsened its financial troubles.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Two worsened too quickly and the hospital lacked supply for the others, the researchers reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Enrollment declined the past two years at DU after years of growth, Rinehart said.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
When asked about her challenging Qualls in a primary, her campaign declined to comment Saturday.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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Last fall, a Krousty Sabaïdi giveaway promoted by popular French influencer Fares Salvatore, who has more than 868,000 followers on TikTok, degenerated into mayhem when the call-out attracted 3,000 teenagers.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Polis wrote in his veto letter that the bill would have diminished incentives for fire departments to participate in the Colorado Firefighter Trust, which replaced state workers’ compensation for firefighters’ cancer claims.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
Phosphorus has diminished some.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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