as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum
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Recent Examples of devolve
Xavier’s missions always devolved into horrifying chaos.
—
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi last month appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing that frequently devolved into succession of angry and combative exchanges with Democratic lawmakers.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
After a fruitless Minnesota power play, emotions started to boil over, as a tie-up along the boards in the Toronto end of the ice devolved into a full-on scrum, with players from both teams ending up in the penalty box.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
At the beginning of Season 2, the five years of calm that Hannah and Bailey had after Hannah struck a deal with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas that devolved into a familiar chaotic dynamic of being chased.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Bondi last month appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing that frequently devolved into succession of angry and combative exchanges with Democratic lawmakers.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
After a fruitless Minnesota power play, emotions started to boil over, as a tie-up along the boards in the Toronto end of the ice devolved into a full-on scrum, with players from both teams ending up in the penalty box.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
At the beginning of Season 2, the five years of calm that Hannah and Bailey had after Hannah struck a deal with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas that devolved into a familiar chaotic dynamic of being chased.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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For years, lawyers have alleged that inmates receive expired, undercooked or contaminated food, including spoiled meat and deteriorated dairy products.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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Now the war has turned into a race to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating global economic order, central to which is reopening the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Storms descended on the states during a bout of unusually hot temps that could linger into early next week, NWS meteorologists said on social media.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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Last summer, as thousands of Border Patrol agents descended on Los Angeles, McGraw was there with a camera crew to the surprise of those who knew him mostly for his daytime-TV therapeutic segments.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Burning more coal risks worsening smog in major cities, slowing the transition to renewable energy and increasing the region's planet-warming emissions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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The first of three ships carrying food, medical supplies, solar panels, and other humanitarian aid arrived in Cuba on Tuesday, three days behind schedule, as the island grapples with a worsening economic and energy crisis.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Throughout the years-long investigation, Cherfilus-McCormick declined interview requests from the committee and provided little to no defense against the committee’s allegations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Some declined to provide their full names, citing safety concerns.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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