as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of devolving
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
At a time when American politics was devolving from statesmanship to showmanship and the tone of discourse was becoming cruel, former Governor Larry Hogan set an example of calm and thoughtful leadership.
—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
3 May 2026
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.
—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
And situations like that are becoming the norm in the NBA playoffs – which are quickly evolving into a war of attrition … or, perhaps devolving is a better word.
—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.
—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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
At a time when American politics was devolving from statesmanship to showmanship and the tone of discourse was becoming cruel, former Governor Larry Hogan set an example of calm and thoughtful leadership.
—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
3 May 2026
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.
—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
And situations like that are becoming the norm in the NBA playoffs – which are quickly evolving into a war of attrition … or, perhaps devolving is a better word.
—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.
—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Keeping it fresh How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?
—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolving
Verb
-
In 1922, Kenmore House was deteriorating, and the Kenmore Association and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) needed $30,000 for its repairs and restoration.
-
And his political standing is now suddenly deteriorating to the point where Congress is maybe losing some of its fear, and there may be a different Congress after November.
Verb
-
Several men with guns are seen descending upon Dutton Ranch as Rip and crew, including Everett, get ready for battle.
-
Around the time that the drone appeared, two aircraft began following the Fiorella, descending toward it, climbing away, and circling.
Verb
-
In the temple's crumbling courtyard, little remains… mostly empty pedestals scattered among the Sralao trees.
-
This medieval village was built onto a cliff overlooking the sea, where you can get lost in the narrow lanes among crumbling buildings with laundry dangling on clotheslines.
Verb
-
After years of declining sales, American Girl dolls are seeing a resurgence.
-
The state also has goals, including some that have been in place since 2012, that set declining limits on smog-causing pollutants and required automakers to sell increasing percentages of electric and hybrid vehicles through 2025.
Verb
-
Accelerating these efforts is crucial to protect children from worsening climate impacts.
-
Over several days, the boy was taken to clinics and emergency rooms as doctors searched for the cause of his worsening symptoms, the report said.
Verb
-
McFarland found the items inside a degenerating family trunk.
-
But in general, any organic media is going to start degenerating over time, and the pH is going to be higher.
Verb
-
Others expressed concerns about diminishing Black voting power.
-
Movies Are Good, Actually By Michael O’Donnell A film critic’s new book attacks the medium for diminishing culture.
Cite this Entry
“Devolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolving. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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