DEVOLVE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

devolve

verb

di-ˈvälv

Definition of devolve

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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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 Arkansas fan John Daly has a booth that’s supposed to be for golf tips but devolves into other things. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Many of the campaigns have devolved into arguments about the proper interpretation of theology and scripture, as well as the role people of faith and the government should play in shaping society. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 But when their boat breaks down, the trip devolves into a waking nightmare. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026 With infernos burning so hot that water evaporates before even reaching the flames, firefighting operations are devolving, increasingly, into lifesaving operations. — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolve

Verb

Behrouz Mehri | Afp | Getty Images France's deteriorating public finances and political deadlock are becoming a growing concern for bond investors, with borrowing costs near financial-crisis-era highs as another difficult budget battle looms.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Israel has seen its own relations with Turkey deteriorate during Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s more than two-decade rule.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

Conflict between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers and an intense population movement also have worsened the outbreak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Venezuela’s oil output began to stagnate, a situation which worsened further after the coup attempt of April 2002.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Castro was released from a Texas jail last week after a judge declined to order his return to Minnesota.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
As a result of these shifts, in the last year, while the Nifty 50 has declined by more than 2%, the Nifty Midcap 150 index is up 10%, as per LSEG data.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

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devolutions

devolve

devolved

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“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolve. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of devolve

verb

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