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 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
The on-screen contention between the two devolves into a fever dream of violence, deception and abuse— both mental and physical.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 17 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
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
The on-screen contention between the two devolves into a fever dream of violence, deception and abuse— both mental and physical.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 17 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
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Still, strategists cited risks related to the impact of tariffs on inflation and the potential for consumer spending to slow down if the labor market deteriorates further.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
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Eventually, due to lack of movement, muscle tissue deteriorates, and parts of your body stop functioning permanently.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … GAVELED OUT – Democrat lunges at chairman's gavel as immigration hearing descends into chaos.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The night then descends into a surrealist haze, as Norton sees a twin version of himself (outfitted in another Gucci look), guests swim in the pool in the designer brand clothing and Moore eventually makes the table explode.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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The film reportedly follows Streep’s Miranda as the magazine industry crumbles around her.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Usually starting in a person's early to mid-40s, presbyopia typically worsens until age 65, according to the American Optometric Association.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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During Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone lives her first love with Olga, as her father’s Parkinson’s illness worsens.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jeff McNeil, Nimmo, Alonso and Lindor are into their 30s; defense typically declines at that stage.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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As China’s population declines, young workers face a mountain of public sector debt, youth unemployment, and low salaries.—
Renaud Foucart,
Time,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolves. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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