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 Heather Diehl | Getty Images Silicon Valley's bid to dominate artificial intelligence politics has devolved into a fight with itself. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 In recent decades, however, the once-proud music mag has devolved into hipster drivel, and nowhere is that more evident than in their ranking lists. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Some parents became so frustrated with the district’s position that the school board vote devolved into shouting from the audience as board members tried to speak over the crowd, video from the meeting showed. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Their ensuing correspondence with the department began politely but devolved into threats and demands emphasized in italic type. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police. — Elitsa Gadeva, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 Until a curfew was imposed, the protests had devolved into widespread shoplifting after sundown. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 The game’s intro devolved into a Saw-esque monologue, then Fallon made a dude drink pond water. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 By this time, the interview has devolved into fun-loving chaos. — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant, experts have accused Israel of genocide, and Israel’s image has further deteriorated with a spike in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Medical examinations initially revealed no major injury, but his condition deteriorated.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

But as the other two phases descended into disaster for USC (6-2, 3-2), its defense could only hold for so long.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Rather than entering a lower orbit and remaining there for several days before re-entry, the rocket stage may have descended immediately.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

The company crumbled after John Carreyrou, then a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, broke the story in 2015 that Theranos wasn’t using its own technology to run most of its blood tests.

— Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
In the southwestern town of Limoges, the city hall’s 19th-century bell tower crumbled under a mass of flames.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

But Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, widely viewed as a potential top contender for the position, has declined to pledge not to run.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Aguilar declined to take the rest of the day off but then activated the fire alarm system after the meeting and tried to leave the building.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

These days, oversight hearings have degenerated into partisan brawls.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Fay degenerated on Tuesday, but by Thursday afternoon was once again a strengthening tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, moving west at 6 mph in the central Atlantic, according to the hurricane center.

— Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of degenerated

Verb

As long as men are in power, the United States will remain a patriarchy where the value of women is diminished, female victims are not believed and institutions aren’t held accountable.

— Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Lawmakers who oppose him risk public ridicule, primary challenges and diminished political support.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolved

verb

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