DEVOLVED Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

devolved

verb

past tense of devolve

as in deteriorated

to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid slum

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Recent Examples of devolved Dolly was previously a tropical storm but has since weakened and devolved to a remnant with sustained winds of 40 mph. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 What started out with a kiss between two Democratic officials in a local township office has devolved into a southwest suburban political soap opera with the potential to reshape competitive races for Congress and the Cook County Board. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 28 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 the conflict has devolved into a fight over the strait as Iranian threats and attacks on shipping ground traffic through the waterway to a halt. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Other years devolved into long single-file processions where the handful of surviving cars simply tried to avoid becoming the next caution. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 England was never devolved from the UK politically, which might explain why its major sports teams have retained ‘God Save The King’. — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Once among Latin America’s wealthiest nations, Venezuela had devolved into one of its poorest. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 With Zelensky, there were fewer signs of strain, showing improved relations between the two leaders, at least compared with their first meeting last year, which devolved into a shouting match in the Oval Office in front of television cameras. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolved

Verb

But several of them moving in the same direction tell me that the quality of the rally has deteriorated.

— Thomas Hartmann, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
As the stalemate between the city and Angels owner Arte Moreno grew more entrenched, the condition of Angel Stadium deteriorated.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of deteriorated

Verb

Not long afterward, two dozen Border Patrol agents descended on Roosevelt High School as class was getting out, prompting a confrontation in which the agents deployed pepper spray and arrested four people, including a teacher.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
This year, more than 4,200 shows descended on Edinburgh, with artists hailing from 74 countries.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of descended

Verb

Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
More than 3,000 people are still missing across both countries, as complex search efforts continue in remote areas where roads and other infrastructure has crumbled.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumbled

Verb

The affordability of long-term care has worsened for middle-class Americans, according to a March report from the AARP Public Policy Institute, a policy research arm within AARP, an advocacy group for older adults.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of worsened

Verb

Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
When asked about the lack of any tributes or the evening’s plans to honor Nolan, the Ocean Springs School District declined to comment.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of declined

Verb

In the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened and degenerated into a post-tropical remnant low on Thursday, the center said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired.

— Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Definition of degenerated

Verb

Inside one, the individual is both multiplied and diminished.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
The persuasiveness of these efforts, however, is diminished when a WRO is modified without transparency and despite readily accessible evidence indicating that conditions for the workers have not truly improved.

— Charity Ryerson, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of diminished

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

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