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
But of course, the serenity of a slow-motion unfolding of the day inevitably devolves into the annual discussions, debates and diatribes dedicated to the food of the day.
—
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
The situation devolves from there, in a sort of micro-zombie apocalypse.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Set in 1950s England, as the party devolves into shambles — mostly orchestrated by Hedda herself — Hedda goes from a simmering conversation about what happens to a woman bound by her circumstances to a sexy psychological thriller about class, power, and ambition.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
But the show never recaptures that energy, and what follows rapidly devolves into an ungainly blob of franchise-building obligation.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Lynne Ramsay’s upcoming Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence as a new mother gripped by a postpartum depression that devolves into psychosis, looks set to expand that canon.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
The movie devolves into something inexact and thoughtless, without anything distinct to recenter it.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 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
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
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
The situation devolves from there, in a sort of micro-zombie apocalypse.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Set in 1950s England, as the party devolves into shambles — mostly orchestrated by Hedda herself — Hedda goes from a simmering conversation about what happens to a woman bound by her circumstances to a sexy psychological thriller about class, power, and ambition.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
But the show never recaptures that energy, and what follows rapidly devolves into an ungainly blob of franchise-building obligation.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
Lynne Ramsay’s upcoming Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence as a new mother gripped by a postpartum depression that devolves into psychosis, looks set to expand that canon.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
The movie devolves into something inexact and thoughtless, without anything distinct to recenter it.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolves
Verb
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The Backyard cast also features Katie MacNichol as Gladys’ daughter Ellen, Alexander Ameen as Ellen’s husband Howard, and William Huffaker as a young painter from Boston named Don Bowman whom Gladys seeks to help even as her mental state deteriorates.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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As the situation deteriorates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany among others have urged their nationals to leave Bamako.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Carol is casually chatting with her manager and romantic partner, Helen (Miriam Shor), when the pathogen descends on everyone, creating a horrific scene of silent, seizing bodies.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
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Regardless, this film also boasts a oner for the ages, as a raincoat mafia descends upon a rave and a pair of bloodthirsty lovers.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Academic success means little if a child crumbles under stress.—
Dr. Mona Amin,
CNBC,
5 Dec. 2025
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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
Verb
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Sam slips back into her addiction and as her alcoholism worsens, so do the visions and apparitions that seem to be haunting the forest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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As climate change worsens, more locations are going to become too hot for data centers.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Independent energy analyst Rachel Ziemba, who agrees major oil companies may hesitate, also notes that declines in the price of crude – the raw material for consumer products like gasoline – are often not fully passed on to consumers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolves. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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