as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 devolved
The official cause of death was severe pneumonia, which devolved into sepsis and caused multiple other complications.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 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
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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
In the past, that has often devolved into cheap political point-scoring.
—ArsTechnica, 25 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
-
Fertilizer affordability has deteriorated to levels not seen since the Arab Spring.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
By the time Asher, 3 years old at the time, was admitted to a children's hospital for a second time, his condition had significantly deteriorated.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
5 June 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
-
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
-
Those who declined frequently faced intense criticism from media outlets and activists.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Major events such as Hamilton and an Issa Rae show were swiftly canceled, staff departures staggered departments and drained the organization of expertise, and ticket sales drastically declined.—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
6 June 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
-
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
-
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 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
