as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 devolve
With the candidates holding similar positions on most local issues, the race has devolved into a referendum of style over substance.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
After the stoppage of play, what had been a daring weeklong pas de deux between this U.S. Open’s entrants and this wonderful old beast of a course devolved into a sopping-wet street fight of survival.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 16 June 2025
The insults soon devolve into sarcastically miming each other’s words like little kids.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2025
In late May, about 100 people crowded into county chambers to ask questions about the process, with the meeting devolving into a shouting match between commissioners and several audience members.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
After the stoppage of play, what had been a daring weeklong pas de deux between this U.S. Open’s entrants and this wonderful old beast of a course devolved into a sopping-wet street fight of survival.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 16 June 2025
The insults soon devolve into sarcastically miming each other’s words like little kids.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2025
In late May, about 100 people crowded into county chambers to ask questions about the process, with the meeting devolving into a shouting match between commissioners and several audience members.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
-
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
The latest example of trouble resulting from this definitional confusion comes from the deteriorating relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
Potentially Cloudy Guidance The easyJet share price could very well descend on Thursday if CEO Kenton Jarvis doesn’t reiterate his FY25 PBT guidance of roughly £700-710 million.—
John Choong,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
But Paxton's sizeable lead could crumble in light of his divorce proceedings.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
This story has been updated to note the FBI declined to comment.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
The important storyline over those weeks is about untapped potential, not declining numbers.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share