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 French overthrew millennia of arbitrary hereditary rule but soon devolved into terror and war.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
In late April, Hegseth appeared before the Armed Services Committee for a budget hearing that stretched nearly six hours and devolved at times into a debate over the war with Iran, its rationale, and its likely endgame.
—Nik Popli, Time, 8 June 2026
While the new role and the bigger unit would seemingly address that need, the discussion quickly devolved into a power struggle, with several participants arguing loudly and others quietly checking out.
—Harvard Business Review, 8 June 2026
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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
In late April, Hegseth appeared before the Armed Services Committee for a budget hearing that stretched nearly six hours and devolved at times into a debate over the war with Iran, its rationale, and its likely endgame.
—Nik Popli, Time, 8 June 2026
While the new role and the bigger unit would seemingly address that need, the discussion quickly devolved into a power struggle, with several participants arguing loudly and others quietly checking out.
—Harvard Business Review, 8 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved
Verb
-
The bureau said in May that her condition had deteriorated and medical devices and medications were supporting her lung and kidney functions, AFP reported.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Prices have steadily climbed as the cattle herd shrank to its lowest levels in 75 years, while the prospects for rebuilding supplies have deteriorated in recent weeks.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
On Tuesday, rodeo lovers and animal welfare advocates descended on downtown Los Angeles to argue for and against a draft ordinance that would ban the hooved spectacles within the city.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Not the least of those is a bullpen that has descended into one of the last-reliable in baseball.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
That principle has crumbled so far in the face of Wembanyama’s combination of incomprehensible on-court abilities, youthful enthusiasm and cosmopolitan-unto-eccentric savoir faire.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Some of the young students screamed in panic and wept but mostly remained seated and still, preventing any injuries, Cachuela said, adding that a motorcycle was damaged when a shed crumbled to the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Sales have declined as inflation has worsened, and Benike recently reduced one full-time employee to part-time hours.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The security situation in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has worsened recently, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by Islamic extremists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Florida citrus acreage declined from nearly 749,000 acres in 2004 to approximately 275,000 acres in 2024.—
Paul Meador,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
The National Labor Relations Board declined jurisdiction on narrow grounds, warning that allowing one private-school team to unionize while most FBS programs were public universities could create instability.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 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
-
But by the 1960s, it was much diminished, and a later owner, Benjamin Swig, had sold close to 1,000 antiques and artworks to help pay bills.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Life satisfaction went up, and loneliness diminished.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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