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 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

These mice have some of the same features of brain damage that Alzheimer’s patients do, most notably the formation of tangled proteins and debris in the brain and progressively deteriorating performance on cognitive tasks.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
The filing says the Park Service has known for years about deteriorating sections of the seawall and has fenced off discrete hazardous areas without shuttering the entire park.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

As the plane was descending, a man believed to be Gregory could be heard reciting the Lord’s Prayer, according to air traffic controller audio.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Some went as far as likening the outage to life in prehistoric times or descending into madness.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

Before it was demolished in the early 1800s, his crumbling mansion was said to be haunted by ghosts and strange occurrences.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
While the bread is toasting, cook sausage in a large skillet, crumbling it into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, 3 minutes.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

With shot numbers declining, a study found more babies are at risk of bleeding.

— Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Public fallout Despite all his success, though, his relationship with the national team has slowly soured over the last few years – much in part due to his declining performances on the field.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Akio Kon | Bloomberg | Getty Images As Intel comes off its steepest stock drop since the 1970s due to a worsening outlook for the PC market, the chipmaker is facing intensifying pressure to get its flailing foundry business off the ground.

— Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
The trial was halted early, though, when results indicated that the drug was worsening people’s cognition.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

Everybody raves about the myriad of health benefits that comes along with dry brushing—from physically exfoliating your skin and eliminating strawberry skin to increasing blood flow and potentially diminishing the appearance of circulation.

— Hannah Coates, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
There is no denying that Trump’s efforts in Iran are diminishing his party’s chances of retaining Congress.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 29 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 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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