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
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The Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
-
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.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
More than a dozen others lay wounded as the downtown block descended into chaos.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
At least seven tornadoes broke out Wednesday night across the Midwest and Southeast, as severe weather descended on a large swath of the country.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
18 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
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Shares of Micron have surged 258% in the year to date, fueled by a memory supply crunch worsened by widening AI adoption.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
Joe’s mental acuity, already visibly declining in 2024, has probably worsened.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
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.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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But Kesselring’s role was further diminished when Buffalo acquired defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline in March.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
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Since then, our evenings have been brighter and our melatonin diminished.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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