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
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 devolution
Latin America experienced such a devolution in the mid-twentieth century.
—
Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
Keys to economic rejuvenation in these left-behind places are the devolution of decision-making powers to local and regional authorities, as well as having sufficient financial resources to implement the resulting bottom-up decisions.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
Keys to economic rejuvenation in these left-behind places are the devolution of decision-making powers to local and regional authorities, as well as having sufficient financial resources to implement the resulting bottom-up decisions.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
-
The art replaces a previous one that was located on Lake Street and removed in 2018 because of deterioration.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
Perry confirmed the system’s deterioration at the council’s May 28 meeting.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that accelerates degradation of the drive shafts’protective coating, increasing the susceptibility to damage from road debris, according to the recall report.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
-
Despite being lightweight, the weeder is built with durability in mind and has a rust-resistant coating that protects it from corrosion and degradation over time.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
These adjustment to scheduling, along with staffing changes and dining revenue declines, are impacting not just Jack Fry's, but the entire Louisville restaurant economy.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
26 July 2025
-
The sales drop was led primarily by a 9% fall in North America and declines in Europe and Asia-Pacific.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
-
His father, Peter Harris, is bi-racial and Jewish, and his mother, Virginia Heikkinen, is of Finnish descent.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share