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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving

Verb

Venezuela’s fragile health care system had been deteriorating for years before two powerful earthquakes rattled the South American nation last month, killing more than 5,000 people and further exacerbating its ongoing health crisis.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Allen said the house needed to be gutted, the inside was deteriorating and termites were eating at the doors.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

The sight of the American president descending the long stairs from Air Force One, smiling and waving along the way, became a symbol of American diplomacy.

— Peter Kastor, Fortune, 27 July 2026
From the ground, the smooth, rotating ride looked interesting — suspended in twelve pairs of seats, passengers spin at a slight angle for about a minute before descending back to the surface.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

But today, its concrete high-rises are crumbling into the sea.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Sugar’s purpose in this earthly life — to reunite lost families in the City of Angels — is crumbling under the maddening impossibility of convicting a policeman of a crime in a world where the crime is the point.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

Wine consumption as a whole is declining, according to the French Agriculture Ministry, with the government funding permanent vineyard removal in some cases.

— Martina Di Licosa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Some factors outside of districts’ control, such as the declining birth rate and competition with the private sector, could be contributing to this trend, according to local and state education leaders.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

After coming into power, the Malian military junta expelled French forces from the country in 2022, citing protection of national sovereignty and a worsening security crisis.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
The drop was driven by worsening infrastructure, softening housing and a high cost of living.

— Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

Plants and animals keenly sense the diminishing light, which acts as a master biological clock that triggers changes such as migration, shifting hormone levels and winter coat growth.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Without diminishing that aspect of music, Musical Bodies rightly situates as much meaning in the objects themselves.

— Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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