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
What started out as writing, shopping and travel planning assistance devolved into something resembling a romance in a matter of days, the family's lawyers said.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The command devolved upon Captain Fitzgerald.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
This year, February 24th marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was supposed to be a three-day operation, but has devolved into a war of attrition.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In the modern age of remote hiring, the virtual job interview has devolved into a Wild West of unprofessionalism and artificial intelligence shortcuts.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
At some points, the back-and-forth between Bondi and Congress devolved into a screaming match.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The world has devolved into the worst-case scenario of oppression, bigotry and hatred.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Crinon had just exited the penalty box after elbowing Nathan MacKinnon in the chin; Wilson target-locked on Crinon and hit him cleanly before things devolved.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The experiment ended early because the researchers became alarmed by how fast previously ordinary people devolved into violence when shielded from accountability.
—William Robiner, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The command devolved upon Captain Fitzgerald.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
This year, February 24th marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was supposed to be a three-day operation, but has devolved into a war of attrition.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In the modern age of remote hiring, the virtual job interview has devolved into a Wild West of unprofessionalism and artificial intelligence shortcuts.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
At some points, the back-and-forth between Bondi and Congress devolved into a screaming match.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The world has devolved into the worst-case scenario of oppression, bigotry and hatred.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Crinon had just exited the penalty box after elbowing Nathan MacKinnon in the chin; Wilson target-locked on Crinon and hit him cleanly before things devolved.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The experiment ended early because the researchers became alarmed by how fast previously ordinary people devolved into violence when shielded from accountability.
—William Robiner, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved
Verb
-
Some claimed that her mental health had deteriorated.—
Anika Burgess,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The move to change the clock came after relations between the United States and Canada deteriorated.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That night, law enforcement descended on the Wondras’ property off of Redwing Street in Fruitland, not far from where Michael lived.—
Alex Brizee
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When federal immigration agents descended on their city, officers deported Gabi's father, then detained her aunt.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a review of court records and other documents offers a window into how a technology project envisioned as reshaping education crumbled amid allegations of fraud.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Down by six points with 90 seconds to go in the championship game, the Wildcats crumbled under pressure at the free-throw line, Miller said.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ongoing concerns at fire station Westwood Fire Chief Steven Lund says the recent stretch of extreme cold followed by melting snow worsened issues the department had been monitoring for years.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Kylan, who became a caddie during his sophomore year, was forced to stop playing sports and struggled with school work as his eye condition caused pain and worsened his vision.—
Corey Davis,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Township officials also offered assistance during a public meeting to help address those concerns, but the university declined the help, the lawsuit alleges.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Army Corps declined to comment for this article, citing the ongoing lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After a police operation in Rio de Janeiro in October degenerated into a chaotic shootout, leading to more than 120 deaths, Brazilian civil society groups reacted in horror.—
Brian Winter,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Our national political and cultural discourse, especially online, has degenerated into a permanent fever dream.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Liverpool’s transition threat has diminished.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Extensive research shows that insufficient sleep is associated with impaired cognitive function, chronic health problems, diminished productivity and an increase in traffic accidents, just to name a few.—
Stephen Neely,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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