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 Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.
-
By 2024, his health had deteriorated to the point of requiring continuous oxygen, leading to his evaluation for a groundbreaking dual-organ transplant under the HOPE Act.
Verb
-
The Unraveling There isn’t an easy answer as to why Sudan has descended once again into civil war.
-
Wilde’s 2022 psychological thriller, headlined by Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, descended into tabloid chaos amid rampant speculation over an apparent feud between Pugh and Wilde, plus the romance between Wilde and Styles that allegedly originated during production.
Verb
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The Continental Army went into the battle with a two-to-one advantage in numbers, but when most of the American militia crumbled in the face of a British bayonet charge, Pumphrey's unit was outnumbered, Wise says.
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The fronts of two rowhomes crumbled to the ground Monday night as severe weather hit the Delaware Valley.
Verb
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Rising global energy prices have worsened the situation.
-
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insecurity has worsened as the militants have started operating in the southern region.
Verb
-
The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.
-
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
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.
-
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.
Verb
-
Trump’s critics, especially in Israel, worry that the agreement effectively allows Iran to repair a proxy force diminished by months of Israeli pummeling.
-
Alannah’s presence on Season 8 of Love Island USA was heavily diminished following her first appearance.
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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