as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
the gradual devolution of the neighborhood from a thriving community of close-knit families to a drug-ridden slum
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devolution
The devolution of the traditional life style coincided with a surge in social problems.
—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
On top of that, the devolution of NCAA amateurism presents a chance to reconsider elite player development.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Under the Trump administration, the devolution of the American ideal has accelerated in some ways that could only exist in the unique context of the current moment, and others that mirror the predictable, centuries old ouroboros of political power and decline.
—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
It certainly isn’t made better when her friends start grilling him about his participation in the devolution of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship.
—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
On top of that, the devolution of NCAA amateurism presents a chance to reconsider elite player development.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Under the Trump administration, the devolution of the American ideal has accelerated in some ways that could only exist in the unique context of the current moment, and others that mirror the predictable, centuries old ouroboros of political power and decline.
—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
It certainly isn’t made better when her friends start grilling him about his participation in the devolution of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship.
—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Noun
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
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Over time, this can increase electrical resistance, generate excess heat, and accelerate battery degradation.
Noun
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Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
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This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
Noun
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The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
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Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.
Noun
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His mother was of European descent and his father was a Cantonese opera star who was on tour in the city, affording his son birthright citizenship.
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Stokesbury said the climber's descent was a long slide down the steep snow slope rather than a straight free fall, with the terrain gradually becoming less steep farther down the mountain.
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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