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
Iran’s future must be a secular republic grounded in pluralism, one that recognizes its multinational character, guarantees language and cultural rights, and devolves real power to regions.
—
Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Or, perhaps even more likely, Iran devolves into a morass, a chaotic power struggle that destabilizes the entire powder keg of a region.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
In the show, Lucy and Stephen are an on-off couple whose relationship devolves into a series of dark secrets and manipulations.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
The hanging quickly devolves into an all-out bacchanal, as onlookers drink, dance and kiss in the square surrounding the flailing corpse.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
This is how a group chat among young Republicans devolves into talk of loving Hitler.
—Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Play Date This wacky sketch sees a group of tween girls (Skarsgård, Sherman, Wickline, Chloe Fineman, Veronika Slowikowska) having a play date that quickly devolves into extreme violence.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Maria’s scenes ultimately provoke laughter, not discomfort, and her arc devolves into accidental self-parody.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Or, perhaps even more likely, Iran devolves into a morass, a chaotic power struggle that destabilizes the entire powder keg of a region.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
In the show, Lucy and Stephen are an on-off couple whose relationship devolves into a series of dark secrets and manipulations.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
The hanging quickly devolves into an all-out bacchanal, as onlookers drink, dance and kiss in the square surrounding the flailing corpse.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
This is how a group chat among young Republicans devolves into talk of loving Hitler.
—Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Play Date This wacky sketch sees a group of tween girls (Skarsgård, Sherman, Wickline, Chloe Fineman, Veronika Slowikowska) having a play date that quickly devolves into extreme violence.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Maria’s scenes ultimately provoke laughter, not discomfort, and her arc devolves into accidental self-parody.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolves
Verb
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And if the economy deteriorates and the labor market materially weakens at the same time?—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The European social set descends on this Cape Town party spot every summer for its white sand and chilly blue water, as well as the trendy clubs and hotels that lie in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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The scouting combine is the unofficial kickoff to the NFL offseason, as the entire football universe descends on Indianapolis’ abundant hotel lobbies and steakhouses to have discussions about free agency and the draft.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The song was inspired by surviving a toxic relationship, and then finding a true-hearted love that crumbles emotional walls.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While drought impacts water utilities in the Western states more directly, saltwater from coastal flooding worsens groundwater quality, and extreme cold can wear on pipes.—
Charlotte Slovin,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both trade lanes experienced 19 percent volume declines.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
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This comes at a fiscally dire time for Broward County Public Schools, which has lost significant revenue as school enrollment declines each year.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolves. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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