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 But things quickly devolved, and once again scoring seemed to make little sense leading up to yet another hard-to-watch elimination. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 Verbal fights between the two women devolved into a physical brawl. — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 Republicans on the committee followed that lead, confronting him in a hearing that frequently devolved into partisan sniping and name-calling. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 By the end of Volume I, the court romance has devolved into a series of infidelities, both personal and political, which cause the corruption and destabilization of England’s fledgling democracy. — Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

The central bank's monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations found that consumers expect inflation to be even higher a year from now, while perceptions about their own financial standing deteriorated.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
However, as Germany’s economic problems — slow growth, high inflation, rising energy prices — have worsened, public sentiment toward the newcomers has deteriorated.

— Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

After this news and Tusk’s vocal campaign in support of Ukraine and against any possible Russian hybrid attacks, NATO and international leaders descended upon Warsaw for the international forum.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Prospects of a sequel crumbled in 2019 when the Hollywood Reporter broke news that Lim left the sequel over pay disparity.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
As recruiting migrates from Friday Night Lights to the transfer portal, that old infrastructure has crumbled.

— Chris Park, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

By the time Arteaga and Vasquez saddled up their horses early the next morning, Gastón’s condition had worsened.

— Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Those issues worsened when sixth-year receiver Ben Ford exited Saturday’s game at halftime with an injury, after already recording four catches for 45 yards.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsened

Verb

The local district attorney declined to seek criminal charges, but the criminal case was reopened after the lawsuit was filed.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
The campaign for the Democratic nominee for governor, David Jolly, declined to comment on what the new opinion meant for the Hope Florida saga.

— Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

These days, oversight hearings have degenerated into partisan brawls.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Fay degenerated on Tuesday, but by Thursday afternoon was once again a strengthening tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, moving west at 6 mph in the central Atlantic, according to the hurricane center.

— Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of degenerated

Verb

That is quite far apart from the commercial industry, which actually stands to be diminished by these policy reforms.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026
By raw numbers, net domestic out-migration of Californians to other states continues even as the California exodus overall has diminished in strength.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminished

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“Devolved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolved. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolved

verb

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