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
Varley’s grip, her taut observation of nerve-wracking isolation, loosens and the film devolves into a blunt and clichéd consideration of family.
—
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Eight years later, Democrats have devolved into nostrums about appealing to the middle class, ditching academic language, and finding a uniting message.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
What begins as a tender meeting of the minds, soon devolves into a heated argument over whether Innie Mark should help his Outie free Outie Mark’s wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), from the bowels of Lumon.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The gathering came as town halls held by some congressmen around the country have devolved into screaming matches, with the election officials being shouted down by critics of Trump’s approach since taking office or how Democrats have responded.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Eight years later, Democrats have devolved into nostrums about appealing to the middle class, ditching academic language, and finding a uniting message.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
What begins as a tender meeting of the minds, soon devolves into a heated argument over whether Innie Mark should help his Outie free Outie Mark’s wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), from the bowels of Lumon.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The gathering came as town halls held by some congressmen around the country have devolved into screaming matches, with the election officials being shouted down by critics of Trump’s approach since taking office or how Democrats have responded.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve
Verb
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Experts noted that the election took place in a deeply divided nation, where citizens were split on how best to confront surging crime and a deteriorating economy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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Israel-Turkey relations deteriorated in 2010 after Israeli naval commandos intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Editors’ Picks As the helicopter lost power and began to descend over the water, the pilot inflated pontoons that kept the aircraft upright in the water.—
Patrick McGeehan,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Angry over the tagless intruders' prior antics in pillaging their resources, a horde of players descend upon the USS Callister crew, who flee while digital Nanette makes her way to the engine in the hopes of finding a solve.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When workers suspect the game is rigged in favor of the boss's nephew or the CEO's daughter, the belief that hard work leads to recognition—the backbone of productive workplaces—begins to crumble.—
Jonathan H. Westover,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The Wild, who are crumbling at the seams, fell to 1-4-2 in their past seven thanks to an 0-1-2 road trip.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Eventually, those with ALS often experience trouble talking, walking, and swallowing, and the symptoms worsen over time.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Rolling back rules will take time, but America’s air quality could worsen in the interim.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lone Jack Police Chief Tim Cosner, who took the helm after the 2021 crash, declined to be interviewed about why the department’s policy changed.—
Bill Lukitsch,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2025
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North Little Rock police sought to charge Mary Lee Orsini with murder, but a grand jury declined to indict her -- and McArthur was credited with helping Orsini remain a free woman.—
Tony Holt,
Arkansas Online,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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