as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Recent Examples of devolves
The movie devolves into something inexact and thoughtless, without anything distinct to recenter it.
—
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
The game often devolves into shouting.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
This ensemble dramedy follows a group of couples (among them, Perry, Janet Jackson, and Jill Scott) who adjourn to a country estate for what’s supposed to be a carefree weekend but instead devolves into a truth-telling free-for-all.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Howard sells his smug malice, digging into Matt in a way no one has before until the whole thing devolves into a physical fight.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Cue the crashout, which starts as a fight and quickly devolves into kidnapping, spell work, and the dilemma of figuring out which friend to call to hide a body.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
In it, the group of operatives attempt to intercept a team of Chinese nuclear scientists in Iran; the situation devolves into a shootout, culminating in a last-minute helicopter rescue.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
When he’s done, the atmosphere inside the White House quickly devolves.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Feb. 2025
Without laws, a country devolves into anarchy and lawlessness.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
The game often devolves into shouting.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
This ensemble dramedy follows a group of couples (among them, Perry, Janet Jackson, and Jill Scott) who adjourn to a country estate for what’s supposed to be a carefree weekend but instead devolves into a truth-telling free-for-all.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Howard sells his smug malice, digging into Matt in a way no one has before until the whole thing devolves into a physical fight.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Cue the crashout, which starts as a fight and quickly devolves into kidnapping, spell work, and the dilemma of figuring out which friend to call to hide a body.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
In it, the group of operatives attempt to intercept a team of Chinese nuclear scientists in Iran; the situation devolves into a shootout, culminating in a last-minute helicopter rescue.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
When he’s done, the atmosphere inside the White House quickly devolves.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Feb. 2025
Without laws, a country devolves into anarchy and lawlessness.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolves
Verb
-
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The chain is routed through the center of the buoy, passes over a gypsy wheel, and descends again, while excess chain hangs freely to accommodate movement.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Slide Away then descends on Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium on May 29 and 30 with Cryogeyser, Mint Field, Ovlov, Seko, and Terraplana rounding out the lineup.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Toby’s display, overall, looks a lot nicer, but when Paul goes to take a slice of his cake from the chocolate case, the whole thing crumbles to a mess.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
At times, the house would break apart onstage, with the top half lifted in the air, only for YoungBoy to start aggressively rapping, standing supreme while the house crumbles around him.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hitching a trailer to any vehicle dramatically worsens aerodynamics, essentially turning it into a giant parachute.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The raw sewage rises to the surface, adding to the unbearable stink, which spreads and worsens with every passing day.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Crypto declines, however, have the reverse effect.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Unless LaVine miraculously declines his $49 million for 2026-27, the Kings may be left to just extend Murray, re-sign Ellis and run it back for another year.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolves. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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