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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Recent Examples of devolved Since the war has devolved into a quagmire, Kushner and Witkoff have been relegated to a secondary role in peace talks; Vance took the lead in the latest round, this summer. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Twenty-five years later, Diane Sawyer can still remember the morning of September 11, 2001, when a standard Good Morning America broadcast with coanchor Charlie Gibson devolved into tragedy. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026 On Wednesday, the board’s conversation devolved into squabbling before Gaytán could even present her allegations to the directors. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026 Harris also saw the majority of his playing time late in the year when the Chargers’ offensive line had devolved into a completely non-viable unit, and the team failed to generate efficient production from any of its pass catchers. — Jakob Sanderson, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Dolly was previously a tropical storm but has since weakened and devolved to a remnant with sustained winds of 40 mph. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 What started out with a kiss between two Democratic officials in a local township office has devolved into a southwest suburban political soap opera with the potential to reshape competitive races for Congress and the Cook County Board. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Many of the campaigns have devolved into arguments about the proper interpretation of theology and scripture, as well as the role people of faith and the government should play in shaping society. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 But the conflict has devolved into a fight over the strait as Iranian threats and attacks on shipping ground traffic through the waterway to a halt. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

Ties between the two countries, which had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border skirmish in 2020, have been thawing for more than a year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
An individual company can maintain excellent controls and favorable claims experience while still facing higher pricing because the market has deteriorated around it.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars descended upon Los Angeles over the weekend for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opening Night Gala, celebrating George Lucas’ new 300,000-square-foot space dedicated to art, film and imagination.

— Tim Chan, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
In October, studio hirelings with sound cameras and recording devices descended on suburbs around Los Angeles and smaller southern California towns and asked voters to voice their political preferences.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Even though it’s often served composed, the ingredients — bacon, tomatoes, egg and blue cheese — are cut (or crumbled) to the same size.

— Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
An agreement reached in June quickly crumbled, with no sign of diplomatic progress since then.

— Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

Eastern Congo has been embroiled in conflict for decades, and fighting along the Ugandan and Rwandan borders has worsened in the last few years.

— STEPHANIE PSAKI, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026
Steen had learning problems and had begun using drugs at 12 or 13, and his difficulties worsened after the motorcycle accident.

— Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of worsened

Verb

The Pentagon declined to address questions about the accounting discrepancy.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Thrive Eternal, the sports properties company run by incoming Lakers owner Joshua Kushner, declined to comment because the NBA has not yet approved the sale.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

The Philadelphia Eagles drastically overhauled their playbook after their offense degenerated in 2025, and the technical and philosophical changes Hurts must master demand a departure from the comfort zones of past systems.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Now, Artnet News reports that her troubles have compounded, with the loss of a seven-acre house in the Hamptons, sold in a sidewalk foreclosure auction that quickly degenerated as police were called to intervene.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of degenerated

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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