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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devolve
While the genre has devolved into safe narratives and pop therapyspeak, there was a real sense of risk and ambivalence to Williams’s lyrics.
—
Emma Madden, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
But the board quickly devolved into disagreement Tuesday as supervisors nominated themselves for the officer positions.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
My latest: The left devolves into hysteria over Trump.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
For Butler and the Heat the relationship has devolved to the seeming point of cliche.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devolve 
Emma Madden, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
But the board quickly devolved into disagreement Tuesday as supervisors nominated themselves for the officer positions.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
My latest: The left devolves into hysteria over Trump.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
For Butler and the Heat the relationship has devolved to the seeming point of cliche.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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The center and star teammate Elias Pettersson’s relationship had deteriorated, and Vancouver felt the need to move one of them, if not both.—
Peter Baugh,
The Athletic,
1 Feb. 2025
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That cost coach Monty Williams his job, and the situation has only deteriorated since.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Enduro bikes may look like trail bikes, but they’re designed with much more bias towards descending.—
Seb Stott,
Outside Online,
27 Jan. 2025
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Instantly, Heffernan said, trolls descended, barraging her with anti-Semitic and misogynistic messages.—
Sarah Blaskey,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The village is small and dense, lined with crumbling structures and the exploded remains of cars.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Yakumo will use his unique fighting styles to defeat the Divine Dragon Order that’s turned Tokyo into a dystopian, crumbling mess.—
Ash Parrish,
The Verge,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As with other types of acne, stress, diet, not getting enough sleep or using oily makeup, skincare or haircare products may worsen existing acne, according to the AAD.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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The takeover of Goma is expected to worsen the humanitarian crisis.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Martin declined to comment when contacted by Newsweek through email on Thursday.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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Earlier this week, representatives for Billy Ray declined to comment on the family concerns.—
Nardine Saad,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near devolve
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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