DEVOLVED Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

devolved

verb

past tense of devolve

as in deteriorated

to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of devolved Season 4 started strong and then devolved into soap opera and repetitiveness. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 But during his stay, Haiti's already fragile political system devolved into unrest and violence that led to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and continues to today. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 July 2026 Despite my own expertise and best efforts, my attempts to talk to my neighbors devolved into utter, frigid silence. — Deborah Mower, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Upon that person’s arrival, there was a confrontation that devolved into gunshots. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026 The only real scoring chances arrived in the dying moments of a game that carried macabre tendencies, long after the match had devolved into a turf war. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 June 2026 But, when one student made a provocative claim that noncitizens aren’t entitled to equal protection, the debate devolved. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 However, the split between Devers and the Red Sox reportedly began as a dispute over his future after he was moved from third base to first base, but devolved into a larger issue. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

When that piano deteriorated, a player piano was secured for the plaza in June 2025, along with 25 piano rolls to play during events.

— Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Her husband Kennus Gowans has stood by her side as her health deteriorated over the last few years.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Nearby, groups descended on a shopping center on 32nd Street, emptying trash cans and tossing merchandise from the Pavilions grocery store into the parking lot.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
For decades, the top players in the sport have descended on this town in upstate New York known for its mineral springs and top-notch horse racing.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Start by checking the hourly forecast for your destination, and ask everyone traveling with you about health considerations that could be worsened by heat pregnancy, heart conditions, medications that affect hydration.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
The impact of high taxes is worsened by high costs of compliance with myriad state and local regulations.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of worsened

Verb

The location for the bronze statue on the Wimbledon grounds hasn't been announced and Williams-Ellis declined to offer specifics about the pose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
In doing so, Valdez, like fellow successful DSA New York Congressional candidate Avila Chevalier, declined to endorse Jeffries as minority leader or even Speaker if the Democrats take back the House.

— Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of declined

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

Definition of degenerated

Verb

The union said that unresolved complaints made against Hawk and existing climate issues have significantly diminished confidence among many educators.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
Mason, 22, is now hailed as a rising superstar, while Bell's championship aspirations may have diminished.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolved

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