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
Instead, an arcane academic skirmish has devolved into open hostilities.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Hopes for a quick resolution to the Homeland Security spending bill dimmed Thursday as negotiations devolved into a blame game among Republicans and Democrats over who should be talking to whom.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
What is intended to be a carefree girls trip devolves into a nightmare, unfolding when Katie (Charli xcx) becomes possessed by a violent, tortured spirit (Mizuhara) in the Japanese horror tradition.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
In moments like these, KAVARI carves intricate filigrees out of monolithic blocks of sound, keeping the spiky moments from devolving into overly indulgent harsh noise (for fans of the latter, try her side project EEL BLOOD).
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Hopes for a quick resolution to the Homeland Security spending bill dimmed Thursday as negotiations devolved into a blame game among Republicans and Democrats over who should be talking to whom.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
What is intended to be a carefree girls trip devolves into a nightmare, unfolding when Katie (Charli xcx) becomes possessed by a violent, tortured spirit (Mizuhara) in the Japanese horror tradition.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
In moments like these, KAVARI carves intricate filigrees out of monolithic blocks of sound, keeping the spiky moments from devolving into overly indulgent harsh noise (for fans of the latter, try her side project EEL BLOOD).
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
-
Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Working conditions, meanwhile, have continued to deteriorate as the demands on workers increase.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This time last year, the Davis Cup descended into farce and acrimony when Zizou Bergs of Belgium collided with Chile’s Cristian Garín at a changeover and set off a chain of events that led to Garín losing the match after being timed out.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This weekend, Super Bowl crowds are descending on San Francisco for the first time in ten years—and the timing couldn’t be more apt.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But empires fall, and dynasties crumble.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Harkening back to the out-of-this-world aesthetics that won them broad acclaim for Poor Things, the commercial opens on a crumbling modernist edifice on a rocky outcrop in a stormy ocean.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The hospital cleared him for incarceration with a Narcan prescription and instructions to return to the emergency room if symptoms worsened, the lawsuit alleged.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
While mandatory restrictions are not expected, Frost said the utility encourages everyday conservation and would coordinate closely with other utilities along the river if drought conditions worsen.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
