DEVOLVED Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

devolved

verb

past tense of devolve

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 The week’s biggest stories Boyle Heights fire A raucous town hall devolved into boos and chants as residents blamed a burning Lineage cold-storage warehouse for toxic smoke. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 Season 4 started strong and then devolved into soap opera and repetitiveness. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 But during his stay, Haiti's already fragile political system devolved into unrest and violence that led to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and continues to today. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 July 2026 Despite my own expertise and best efforts, my attempts to talk to my neighbors devolved into utter, frigid silence. — Deborah Mower, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Upon that person’s arrival, there was a confrontation that devolved into gunshots. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026 The only real scoring chances arrived in the dying moments of a game that carried macabre tendencies, long after the match had devolved into a turf war. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 But, when one student made a provocative claim that noncitizens aren’t entitled to equal protection, the debate devolved. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 However, the split between Devers and the Red Sox reportedly began as a dispute over his future after he was moved from third base to first base, but devolved into a larger issue. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

Zelenskyy said their relationship had deteriorated so badly that the two could no longer work together, but provided little additional explanation for removing Fedorov.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
In the ensuing decades after District 33 absorbed McAuley, the McAuley building deteriorated, with no significant maintenance done to it and no use other than for records and equipment storage.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Rescue workers, including members of the Big Bear Fire Department, descended a hill below the support structure and found the victim.

— Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2026
Visitors from the four corners of the soccer-worshipping earth descended upon our huge and beautifully chaotic country and a whole bunch of them seemed to fall in love with the place and its people.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Inspired by the bright, herb-forward flavors of traditional Middle Eastern tabbouleh, this hearty variation replaces bulgur with fluffy couscous and adds roasted eggplant and crumbled feta for extra substance and depth.

— Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Let’s remember that Justin Herbert received early MVP buzz last year before his offensive line crumbled.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

The treatment subsequently worsened her ability to close her left eye, her complaint said.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
According to court documents, Wilson’s relationship with the producers had started deteriorating before filming began in 2023 – and worsened during post-production.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of worsened

Verb

The business remained open Saturday afternoon, but employees declined to comment on the raid when reached by phone.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
When Britain withdrew from the Gulf, Qatar declined to fold into the federation that became the United Arab Emirates and took independence alone in 1971, under Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali, before Hamad's branch of the family held power.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of declined

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
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

Definition of degenerated

Verb

In a crucial series, the Phillies not only secured a win but also potentially diminished the trade value of two key Mets pitchers, Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
But his chances of regular starts next season have diminished, with Joao Pedro first choice up front and Rogers earmarked to play in an attacking role on the left.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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