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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 The trick has been deftly weaving in heavy material without devolving into preaching or stunts. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026 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

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

To keep released fish alive, Florida Sea Grant’s Return ’Em Right program urges anglers to use descending devices, which return fish quickly to depth, and offers free devices to those who complete an online course.

— Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Severe altitude illness is treated by descending and getting medical care – another cup of coca tea is not an adequate substitute.

— Andrés Henao, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

Nearly a third of its education budget is eaten up by pensions, so its poorer schools are crumbling.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
In Frankfurt, a gray city crumbling at the corners and still finding its footing after the war, though somehow doing its best to pretend all is well, Mann and Erika are greeted by the mayor and hustled off to a press conference.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

China was once a key profit center for Volkswagen, but now the company faces declining demand for cars there on top of fierce price competition from local carmakers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Search growth is declining, and Google is placing all its eggs in the AI basket.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The worsening crisis in the Caribbean country of nearly 12 million people is blamed on a surge in gang violence and displacement, combined with high food and fuel prices and an extreme El Niño weather phenomenon that is threatening food security.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
The panel suggested at least a 1 percentage point state income tax surcharge on high incomes, saying Connecticut could raise considerable revenue this way and reverse worsening income and wealth inequality.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 27 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

Browse Nearby Words

devolves

devolving

devote

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Devolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolving. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of devolving

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

satiate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 SCRABBLE Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes