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 public meltdown devolved into legal threats and recriminations on both sides.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
But that certainty devolved as the program faded from discussion amid the chaos of rapidly evolving trade policy, and relationships with bigger partners—China, India, the European Union—have dominated the discourse.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
But instead of shattering plates, gunshots cut through the music and the celebration devolved into chaos — the latest instance of gun violence erupting at a seemingly safe place in the US.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The Broncos have devolved from hype to hope.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
What was initially billed as a vigil for Kirk quickly devolved into an apparent White supremacist gathering, based on social media footage.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
The exchange quickly devolved into name calling.
—Nik Popli, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
However, when intentions were ill-defined or assumed (sometimes based on hegemonic, often Christian, power dynamics), conversations about religious differences devolved from uncomfortable to hostile and even harmful.
—Matthew Mayhew, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The subreddit slowly devolved into chaos, and a meme culture called Silkposting emerged.
—Keller Gordon, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
But that certainty devolved as the program faded from discussion amid the chaos of rapidly evolving trade policy, and relationships with bigger partners—China, India, the European Union—have dominated the discourse.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
But instead of shattering plates, gunshots cut through the music and the celebration devolved into chaos — the latest instance of gun violence erupting at a seemingly safe place in the US.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The Broncos have devolved from hype to hope.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
What was initially billed as a vigil for Kirk quickly devolved into an apparent White supremacist gathering, based on social media footage.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
The exchange quickly devolved into name calling.
—Nik Popli, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
However, when intentions were ill-defined or assumed (sometimes based on hegemonic, often Christian, power dynamics), conversations about religious differences devolved from uncomfortable to hostile and even harmful.
—Matthew Mayhew, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The subreddit slowly devolved into chaos, and a meme culture called Silkposting emerged.
—Keller Gordon, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved
Verb
-
However, as Ozzy's health deteriorated, the project shifted into a film instead.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Stone, brick and window work has deteriorated.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the two soldiers descended the elevator to the three art vaults, escorted by the bank manager, neither Madame Matisse nor Marguerite was present.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The path into the cave descended steeply, and the ceiling lowered so that everyone had to bend and then squat.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, Bryant’s body has crumbled.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
When that didn't work, Cincy crumbled.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thompson said the lending skew will ultimately create worsened housing markets.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The data, together with interviews with public health experts, underscore that skepticism around the COVID-19 vaccine has seeped into broader attitudes toward immunization, worsened by the spread of misinformation and disinformation.—
Suhail Bhat,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The carmaker may announce in the coming weeks about $5 billion in fresh money on top of a similar amount earmarked earlier in the year, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing information that’s not public.—
Gabrielle Coppola,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
But overall crime has declined, including a 30% drop in homicides, the mayor’s office said.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By Monday, the storm had degenerated in to remnants which were located about 615 miles west of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, with no threat to land, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
So how the hell did that happen when cinematic box office is diminished generally?—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Cyber threats have not diminished, and CFOs are as vigilant as ever, Gallucci noted.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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