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 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 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 Other years devolved into long single-file processions where the handful of surviving cars simply tried to avoid becoming the next caution. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Once among Latin America’s wealthiest nations, Venezuela had devolved into one of its poorest. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

But in the 1970s, the neighborhood faced disinvestment and the properties deteriorated.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
Harald's death came after the Norwegian royal household said his health had deteriorated.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

There was another hint — this one visible to more than just a select few people — when Mas and his Spanish team descended on another principality, Monaco, for the race’s start.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Sheehan and other men of Patrol 2 got the call and descended the long ramp, several stories deep into the debris pile, and helped bring Keith back to the top.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Concrete barriers designed to keep cars out of the secure area crumbled as the jet, weighing more than 100 tons, headed straight for a four-lane road.

— Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
And over the years, this utopian town, which at the beginning looked great, has completely crumbled into a world of recluses and hoarders.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

Order could reshape federal wolf protections Gray wolves were first listed as endangered in 1967 after populations declined because of hunting and other human activities.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to provide further comment on the case to Fortune.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 5 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

Verb

Beyond that, sharpening a feel for when the initial danger has diminished should help the quarterback find a little extra time and space to reset and attack.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Foreign central banks and other institutions looking for a safe place to park their capital have diminished roles in the Treasury market and have increasingly turned to alternative havens like gold.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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