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
Your city is devolving into a lawless hell hole.
—
Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Advertisement In 2024, Burnham co-authored a book alongside Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, arguing that inequality is best addressed by devolving more power to local governments that better understand the needs of their communities.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 15 May 2026
At a time when American politics was devolving from statesmanship to showmanship and the tone of discourse was becoming cruel, former Governor Larry Hogan set an example of calm and thoughtful leadership.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2026
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.
—Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
And situations like that are becoming the norm in the NBA playoffs – which are quickly evolving into a war of attrition … or, perhaps devolving is a better word.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The commission must reject devolving veto authority to cities.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Advertisement In 2024, Burnham co-authored a book alongside Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, arguing that inequality is best addressed by devolving more power to local governments that better understand the needs of their communities.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 15 May 2026
At a time when American politics was devolving from statesmanship to showmanship and the tone of discourse was becoming cruel, former Governor Larry Hogan set an example of calm and thoughtful leadership.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2026
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.
—Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
And situations like that are becoming the norm in the NBA playoffs – which are quickly evolving into a war of attrition … or, perhaps devolving is a better word.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The commission must reject devolving veto authority to cities.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving
Verb
-
Many of these coupists capitalized on public discontent over deteriorating economies and security conditions to overthrow their predecessors.—
Kaitlyn Rabe,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
-
Project Jupiter has pledged $360 million for schools and local infrastructure, $50 million for an upgrade to the county’s deteriorating water utility, and $12 million annually to the county budget.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
All the other Buzz toys follow suit, dropping into the playground like soldiers descending into battle, and the rest of the kids all excitedly grab one to play with.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
If only the look from the outside-in had measured up the same way instead of descending into a fiasco as thousands faced infuriating delays getting to the stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
If the grout is crumbling, cracked, or permanently discolored, replacing it may be the best solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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This affordability crisis disproportionately impacts Black women, with 90% reporting worsening economic conditions and incomes not keeping pace.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Lower inventory leads to fewer sales, worsening their standing with automakers.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
McFarland found the items inside a degenerating family trunk.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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But in general, any organic media is going to start degenerating over time, and the pH is going to be higher.—
Ryan Conner,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The delay also would push the removal into the middle of the night, diminishing the audience watching the event in person or on TV.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
-
Once the scene resurfaced online some ten years later, internet users leveraged the phrase as a way to distinguish those who were musically superior (who had the range) and those who were not, diminishing them regardless of their popularity.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolving. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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