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 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 Unlike Starmer, Burnham has a clear narrative – devolving power away from London – running through his policies. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 17 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 With both nights devolving into chaos, Brooks and the other guys decide to call it quits on this gender experiment and plan to infiltrate the girls’ night and merge groups. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026 Another year growing and evolving and sometimes devolving, with you. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 June 2026 Your city is devolving into a lawless hell hole. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving

Verb

The conditions for Palestinians living in the West Bank are deteriorating rapidly.

— Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
Park advocates have long argued that the existing city allocation is inadequate, leaving neighborhoods with decaying recreation centers, deteriorating swimming pools and filthy park bathrooms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

The unrest was followed by sustained opposition to government efforts to house asylum seekers in communities across the country, with some protests also descending into violent clashes.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
The FlyDubai flight traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel landed safely after issuing an emergency alert and abruptly descending thousands of feet (meters).

— Samy Magdy, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

The book describes trips to the archive, and then off into the ruins of the asylum, which were crumbling and also being turned into condominiums.

— Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Add the chicken, garlic powder, and chili powder and cook for 6 minutes, crumbling the meat with the back of a spoon or a potato masher (see note below), until browned.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

Local officials and school leaders have linked the shortage of family housing to declining enrollment in the Davis Joint Unified School District, which is weighing school closures.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
And the Civilian Oversight Commission filed suit against the department in June for declining to provide certain records related to three cases of use of force the commission issued subpoenas for in February 2025.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Police have not revealed a motive for the attack, but court records exposed months of discord that appeared to be worsening.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
The case accused school officials of unreasonably exposing McNair to the risk of heatstroke, failing to recognize the initial symptoms and inadequately providing medical care and treatment, thus worsening McNair’s condition.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

Between terrorism and global warming and diminishing natural resources, the world is out of balance.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Basic tasks like summarization, translation and drafting offer diminishing differentiation as tools become widespread.

— Fabio Caversan, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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