Synonyms of devolving

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorating
• descending
• crumbling
• declining
• worsening
• degenerating
• diminishing
• regressing
• decaying
• rotting
• ebbing
• sinking
• atrophying
• retrograding
• weakening
• disintegrating
• falling
• decomposing
• reducing
• waning
• dwindling
• receding
• slipping
• downsizing
• going to pot
• degrading
• sagging
• going to seed
• undermining
• putrefying
• souring
• corrupting
• moldering
• lessening
• abating
• dilapidating
• spoiling
• de-escalating
• lowering
• lagging
• debilitating
• languishing
• flagging
• failing
• drooping
• running down
• wasting (away)
• breaking down
• wilting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improving
• ameliorating
• upgrading
• bettering
• developing
• enhancing
• intensifying
• strengthening
• meliorating
• proceeding
• progressing
• enriching
• heightening
• advancing
• fortifying
• marching

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of devolving

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

The danger then isn’t Hollywood merging with video games, but both devolving into transactional markets that no longer endeavor to keep us entertained — merely subscribed. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 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