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
-
Javen didn’t seem to mind that mental image, and things deteriorated quickly.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
20 Aug. 2025
-
But the nature of the doc evolved as Osbourne’s health deteriorated in the final years of his life.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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
-
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
Verb
-
But the gambling worsened, and eventually so did the family dynamics.—
David H. Rosmarin,
Time,
10 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Griffith, who declined to comment after the hearing, did not identify the man by his name or job.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Kikuchi’s strikeout rate has declined from 32% last year to 24%, while his walk rate increased from 6% to 10%.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Murderous encounters dating to the Risdon Cove settlement eventually degenerated into the Black War (1804–30), a period of great physical conflict between the Aboriginal population and European settlers.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
-
After a police operation in Rio de Janeiro in October degenerated into a chaotic shootout, leading to more than 120 deaths, Brazilian civil society groups reacted in horror.—
Brian Winter,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
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 17 Jun. 2026.
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