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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving

Verb

Authorities warned against hiking this route this time of year due to deteriorating conditions and the onset of winter weather.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Malaysia on Friday ordered hundreds of schools closed in several states because of deteriorating air quality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

The winds develop when air moves from the Great Basin west toward the California coast, descending mountain slopes and becoming warmer and drier.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The drive winds through the verdant mountains of eastern Antioquia before descending into the Aburrá Valley, where Medellín stretches across the valley floor and surrounding hillsides.

— Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

By Saturday night, Long Beach reported that seawater had entered homes and into streets, with the city’s Peninsula neighborhood being hard hit, and its boardwalk crumbling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The hotel’s journey from crumbling Presbyterian church to Silver Lake hotspot is more interesting, a soap opera that involves government red tape, some nuns and Katy Perry.

— Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

Women naturally store less creatine than men, and during perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen can take a toll on both muscle health and mental clarity.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026
The result has been sturdy economic growth, even as lower-income and even middle-income households have continued to struggle under stubborn inflation and declining earnings.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The victim went to the campus health clinic in August with worsening finger tingling and numbness, and leg weakness.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Stocks dropped to their worst day since July on Wednesday after the latest signal that inflation is worsening.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

That global warming is diminishing them might sounds counterintuitive — climate change, after all, is worsening much of the world’s extreme weather.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Winds will finally begin diminishing Friday evening and overnight.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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