as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
Chavez even employed teachings from Synanon, the substance-abuse recovery organization that devolved into an abusive cult.
—
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Xavier’s missions always devolved into horrifying chaos.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi last month appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing that frequently devolved into succession of angry and combative exchanges with Democratic lawmakers.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
After a fruitless Minnesota power play, emotions started to boil over, as a tie-up along the boards in the Toronto end of the ice devolved into a full-on scrum, with players from both teams ending up in the penalty box.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
At the beginning of Season 2, the five years of calm that Hannah and Bailey had after Hannah struck a deal with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas that devolved into a familiar chaotic dynamic of being chased.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
The forward stopped in for a quick chat that quickly devolved into a lengthy discussion about basketball.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Cortiñas pressed on anyway, and the deposition quickly devolved.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
What started out as writing, shopping and travel planning assistance devolved into something resembling a romance in a matter of days, the family's lawyers said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Xavier’s missions always devolved into horrifying chaos.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi last month appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing that frequently devolved into succession of angry and combative exchanges with Democratic lawmakers.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
After a fruitless Minnesota power play, emotions started to boil over, as a tie-up along the boards in the Toronto end of the ice devolved into a full-on scrum, with players from both teams ending up in the penalty box.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
At the beginning of Season 2, the five years of calm that Hannah and Bailey had after Hannah struck a deal with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas that devolved into a familiar chaotic dynamic of being chased.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
The forward stopped in for a quick chat that quickly devolved into a lengthy discussion about basketball.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Cortiñas pressed on anyway, and the deposition quickly devolved.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
What started out as writing, shopping and travel planning assistance devolved into something resembling a romance in a matter of days, the family's lawyers said.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved
Verb
-
Additionally, since mid-December, Chris’s health has deteriorated, prompting a letter from a doctor explaining why Chris should be released on bail, Tsunogae said.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nancy Guthrie More than six weeks after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, the intense media and law enforcement presence that descended on her affluent Arizona neighborhood has mostly dissipated.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
-
After the game ended with the Lakers stunning overtime victory, fans lined up to give him high-fives and cheer for him as his family descended a stairway.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On March 9, Hims & Hers announced a new partnership with Novo Nordisk, after an earlier attempt at a pact crumbled last year.—
CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
After Hurricane Milton, a 2024 Category 4 hurricane, the DEP issued an emergency order in Tampa Bay for immediate repairs to its seawalls that crumbled during the storm.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rebels' takeover of Goma last year has worsened conditions for journalists operating in eastern Congo, where threats and attacks were already widespread.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
As his condition worsened, Gael grew increasingly distressed and began hitting himself, according to the family’s lawyer, Elora Mukherjee.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Pentagon declined to comment on the strike on Natanz, which was also hit in the first week of the war and in the 12-day war last June.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Miami also declined to offer Jovic, though there’s no indication that his inclusion would have satisfied Phoenix.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Our national political and cultural discourse, especially online, has degenerated into a permanent fever dream.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Homelessness is a subject that cuts to the core of Mamdani’s vision of a New York where safety and inclusivity are not in conflict, where the quality of life in the city is improved and not diminished by one’s proximity to fellow New Yorkers.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
None of that diminished its appeal to America’s enemies.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
