devolve

verb

di-ˈvälv How to pronounce devolve (audio)
Definition of devolvenext
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 West began with love, but the string of posts quickly devolved into madness, with Ye even calling Hov for not showing up to his wedding with Kim Kardashian. — Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025 What begins with a clear vision can devolve into confusion and self-sabotage in the absence of ongoing recalibrations. — Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025 But what began as a novel news moment devolved into chaos as word got out that the woman behind the maternal feat was single, unemployed, living with her parents and, most notably, already a mother of six children conceived via IVF. — Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article What should be a joyous day celebrating Irish heritage in Southie yet again devolved into chaos at times, as police made numerous arrests and were allegedly assaulted by underage drinkers. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
  1. deteriorate
  2. descend
  3. crumble
  4. worsen
  5. decline
Verb
  • Seeing Postecoglou snap at such a mild remark demonstrated how much the Australian’s relationship with the fans has deteriorated.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Wood shelves in dry food storage area were deteriorated.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • What begins as a refuge quickly descends into a nightmare as the siblings uncover dark cult practices and confront an ancient evil lurking beneath the surface.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
  • On March 1, police descended upon Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the championship was holding its second day competitions, as a stampede of cheerleaders, coaches and parents ran fleeing from what many believed to be an active shooter situation.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of descend
Verb
  • Marcos appeared on nationwide television around midnight shortly after Duterte was flown out and denied the allegations of the vice president, who has had a bitter falling out with him after their whirlwind political alliance as running mates in the 2022 elections crumbled.
    — Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Cloistered within the dense Mediterranean scrub lay crumbling remnants of bunkers and barracks.
    — Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Pope Francis was diagnosed with a complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection that worsened before improving earlier last week.
    — Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • Columbia officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Hynes declined to address the penalty kill after the game as not to jinx it.
    — Michael Russo, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

devolutions
devolve
devolved
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“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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