Synonyms of devolves

devolves

verb

present tense third-person singular of devolve

as in deteriorates

to become worse or of less value

the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorates
• descends
• crumbles
• worsens
• declines
• diminishes
• degenerates
• regresses
• atrophies
• decays
• rots
• ebbs
• sinks
• weakens
• disintegrates
• retrogrades
• falls
• goes to seed
• decomposes
• wanes
• goes to pot
• recedes
• dwindles
• degrades
• sags
• reduces
• downsizes
• sours
• slips
• abates
• corrupts
• undermines
• putrefies
• lessens
• debilitates
• fails
• languishes
• spoils
• de-escalates
• droops
• lags
• dilapidates
• lowers
• wilts
• breaks down
• runs down
• molders
• wastes (away)
• flags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improves
• ameliorates
• intensifies
• enhances
• develops
• progresses
• enriches
• heightens
• strengthens
• proceeds
• upgrades
• meliorates
• fortifies
• advances
• betters
• marches

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of devolves

When that falls short, Liliom’s life quickly devolves, leaving audiences to wonder if bad deeds are a question of character or circumstance. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

But external leadership quickly devolves if our inner landscapes are left scattered to the wind during massive, often uninvited personal upheavals. — Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

The book takes cues from both Song of Solomon and Sula—a revenge side plot in Song takes center stage and devolves in a Shakespearean fashion. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

The book takes cues from both Song of Solomon and Sula — a revenge side plot in Song takes center stage and devolves in a Shakespearean fashion. — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Some of the mayhem devolves into silliness, including a foot chase through Red Square (doubled by Budapest’s Heroes’ Square abetted with digital effects) and a vehicular chase in which Nick and Troy drive a nuclear missile launcher. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Arkansas fan John Daly has a booth that’s supposed to be for golf tips but devolves into other things. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

But when their boat breaks down, the trip devolves into a waking nightmare. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026

The scene swiftly devolves into a cat-and-mouse chase between Ghostface and poor Casey. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026