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

Guzmán pointed to Colombia’s deteriorating fiscal position as the administration’s most immediate challenge.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The deteriorating security situation at sea is a huge challenge for everybody in the maritime shipping community.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

Ring camera video from Hilton’s neighbor — and obtained by NBC News — shows police descending onto Hilton’s Miami property.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
While the idea was marketed as a way for local businesses to capitalize on the thousands of soccer fans descending on the area, Kansas City also hoped the pilot program could be a viable way to boost the local economy.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of descending

Verb

Rolling blackouts, water scarcity, crumbling hospitals, and shortages of food and medicine had become routine.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
As well as Shusha, Azerbaijan had recaptured the entire lowlands, seven districts that had been crumbling undisturbed for three decades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, has released reports on declining inventories based on budget documents and other public information.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Both have dealt with years of declining sales, but hemp beverages have opened a new market for a generation that isn’t drinking as much as its predecessors.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Faced with a tight supply of interceptors and worsening attacks on its cities, Kyiv has been pressing Washington to co-produce the Patriot system.

— Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Climate change is worsening extreme summer heat, something that more trees can ease.

— Len Maniace, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsening

Verb

Similar ads run the risk of diminishing the ownership experience for some BMW buyers and reduce their sense of control over the driving experience.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
The pollution is expected to drift into the Bay Area, stealthily diminishing air quality without the signature campfire smell associated with wildfire smoke, according to Anthony Edwards, the San Francisco Chronicle’s newsroom meteorologist.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolving

verb

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