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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devolution
The devolution of power has facilitated greater social cohesion by transforming competing ethnic identities from zero-sum competition into positive-sum community pride.
—
Tymofii Brik, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2022
Maybe the game won't sync across platforms, and the impedance of having to start all over will be enough to prevent notable devolution.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2024
Stan shows us that devolution with a careful precision, forgoing imitation for a true embodiment.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2024
Devo, who celebrated 50 years of devolution last year, will play the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, CA on Sept. 24.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Tymofii Brik, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2022
Maybe the game won't sync across platforms, and the impedance of having to start all over will be enough to prevent notable devolution.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2024
Stan shows us that devolution with a careful precision, forgoing imitation for a true embodiment.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2024
Devo, who celebrated 50 years of devolution last year, will play the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, CA on Sept. 24.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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As leaders in the industry who have spent countless hours underground repairing failing gas lines, our licensed gas contractors have witnessed firsthand the deterioration of our state’s natural gas infrastructure.—
Harley Flack,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2025
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Not spending enough time in the two deep stages of slumber might speed up the deterioration of parts of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is, in part, about the degradation, devaluation, and replacement of writers.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
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Soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate volatility have become immediate operational threats.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Walmart's stock has experienced a notable decline amid a nationwide boycott and broader market volatility.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Bally’s Chicago ranked sixth in revenue among the state’s casinos with $29 million during the first quarter, a 4% year-over-year decline.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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Its descent can evoke a range of emotions, including awe, sadness and fear.—
Tracy Scott Forson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
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Margaret Atwood’s dystopian allegorical novel didn’t over-explain the U.S.’ descent into fascist theocracy and thus left itself open to interpretation — so open that even American conservatives were able to claim it as a warning about Muslim fundamentalism.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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