DEVOLVING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

devolving

verb

present participle of devolve

as in deteriorating

to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of devolving Then, many would switch to politics – but without devolving into anger. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Busch died suddenly in May, a tragic result of severe pneumonia devolving into sepsis. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026 That said, devolving tropical storms can pack a punch with sporadic gusts and showers as the energy that was formerly bundled in the storm’s center releases outward. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 But Burnham and Healey have also said easing living costs, devolving political power to local authorities and raising defense spending remain priorities. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 At the very least, no one wants to feel invisible, especially when our devolving society keeps finding new ways to instill that impression. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 With infernos burning so hot that water evaporates before even reaching the flames, firefighting operations are devolving, increasingly, into lifesaving operations. — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 The question is whether the system can scale rules without devolving into chaos. — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The Sky still consider her day-to-day, but her absence reflects a growing tension between her needs as a veteran guard and the team’s rapidly devolving chances of competing this season. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving

Verb

The referendum would authorize Miami to issue $450 million in general obligation bonds to repair or replace deteriorating police and fire-rescue facilities, including construction of a new public safety building near Miami Freedom Park.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Declining industrial demand can make the electricity balance sheet look healthier, when the reality is that the economy is deteriorating under the pressure of relentless attacks.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

Video recorded from the stands shows the service member descending on a rope from the rafters at the Alamodome before falling to the field.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
The spacecraft will attempt two collection landings, with its exploration and return modules descending and returning to orbit as one vehicle.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

The energy crisis coupled with crumbling infrastructure have sent prices of basic goods skyrocketing.

— Matt Gutman, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The drawing, which depicts a crumbling stone arcade spanning a body of water, is being sold by Oxford, UK, auction house Mallams, where it is expected to fetch between £40,000 and £60,000 ($53,000 to $79,000).

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

Chinese firms have been suffering from declining profit growth amid intense competition that has eroded margins and even invited the government to step in.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
While program closures at colleges and universities often result from declining enrollment or a financial crisis, our decisions at Valencia are driven by neither.

— Kathleen Plinske, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Rising utility costs are worsening the affordability crunch facing millions of American families, who are facing sharply higher gasoline and diesel prices amid higher oil costs due to the war in Iran.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Residents are worried about how data centers will affect power and water supplies, as well as worsening noise pollution.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

Kikuchi makes Haru’s occasionally mortifying romantic pursuit both funny and affecting, embracing the character’s impulsive, sometimes ridiculous behavior without diminishing the depth of her loss.

— Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The good news is that its strongest winds and heaviest rain will remain over the Atlantic, with impacts along our coastline gradually diminishing.

— Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishing

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devolves

devolving

devote

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“Devolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolving. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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