as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Recent Examples of devolving
In moments like these, KAVARI carves intricate filigrees out of monolithic blocks of sound, keeping the spiky moments from devolving into overly indulgent harsh noise (for fans of the latter, try her side project EEL BLOOD).
—
James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Negotiations over government funding are devolving into taunts and partisan posturing as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and his Democratic counterpart in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), assign early blame for an imminent shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Tarr told his sweeping film in chapters, and the prolonged runtime was crucial to the story’s power, showing an entire world devolving into hopelessness and oblivion, practically in real time.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
Gemini spirals Google’s Gemini model series has developed a reputation online for occasionally devolving into self-loathing.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
The horns, synthesizers, and guitars all crash in like an anvil — a musical climax to the song’s sultry lyrics — before devolving into free-jazz chaos.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Melissa developed into a Category 3 hurricane, before devolving to a Category 2 hurricane.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The race started behind the safety car in a downpour, barely got going before devolving into yellow-flag chaos and was finally red-flagged on lap 25, suspending the race for over two hours.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
The cast of four supports the weight of the play together, balancing the intimate struggle of the family with the larger issues of the devolving world.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Negotiations over government funding are devolving into taunts and partisan posturing as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and his Democratic counterpart in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), assign early blame for an imminent shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Tarr told his sweeping film in chapters, and the prolonged runtime was crucial to the story’s power, showing an entire world devolving into hopelessness and oblivion, practically in real time.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
Gemini spirals Google’s Gemini model series has developed a reputation online for occasionally devolving into self-loathing.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
The horns, synthesizers, and guitars all crash in like an anvil — a musical climax to the song’s sultry lyrics — before devolving into free-jazz chaos.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Melissa developed into a Category 3 hurricane, before devolving to a Category 2 hurricane.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The race started behind the safety car in a downpour, barely got going before devolving into yellow-flag chaos and was finally red-flagged on lap 25, suspending the race for over two hours.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
The cast of four supports the weight of the play together, balancing the intimate struggle of the family with the larger issues of the devolving world.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving
Verb
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Another 2024 study published in Biology found that adults who did strength training had a lower biological age—suggesting that their bodies were deteriorating more slowly than is typical for their chronological age.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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There are five other main characters with rapidly deteriorating lives that deserve our attention, but what is a recapper to do?—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For The Times) The Federal Aviation Administration says things have improved at Burbank, pointing to a recent change that adjusted the altitude for Van Nuys aircraft, increasing clearance between descending Burbank flights and the smaller planes at Van Nuys.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Ice Cream Man follows an idyllic summer town descending into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With ceilings crumbling and utilities failing, residents are looking to the courts to intervene.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some sources say that the need to refocus on defense investment in light of the rising tensions with Russia and worsening relations with the United States, a once-key ally, are forcing the UK government to slash budgets.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Scientists have hailed the benefits of exercising early in life to lower the risk of your brain degenerating later.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
29 Nov. 2025
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In the Pacific, meteorologists are watching to see how much rain the degenerating Tropical Storm Mario could carry into the San Diego region.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her authority has been challenged in several high-profile cases, diminishing hopes in both progressive and populist MAGA circles for tough antitrust enforcement.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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The tiredness of the players has a diminishing effect on the level of spectacle and the games and goals become unmemorable.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolving. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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