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
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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 Under the Trump administration, the devolution of the American ideal has accelerated in some ways that could only exist in the unique context of the current moment, and others that mirror the predictable, centuries old ouroboros of political power and decline. —
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025 It certainly isn’t made better when her friends start grilling him about his participation in the devolution of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025 But as devolution boosted the visibility of Scotland’s saltire and Wales’ dragon in the 1990s, the Cross of St. George gained new prominence in England. —Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025 Follow Pope Francis’ example April 23, 2025 Gomez’s devolution was especially dispiriting because L.A. Catholic leaders have taught their American peers how to embrace Latino immigrants ever since Archbishop John Cantwell helped refugees from Mexico’s Cristero War resettle in the city in the 1920s. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for devolution
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025 It certainly isn’t made better when her friends start grilling him about his participation in the devolution of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025 But as devolution boosted the visibility of Scotland’s saltire and Wales’ dragon in the 1990s, the Cross of St. George gained new prominence in England. —Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025 Follow Pope Francis’ example April 23, 2025 Gomez’s devolution was especially dispiriting because L.A. Catholic leaders have taught their American peers how to embrace Latino immigrants ever since Archbishop John Cantwell helped refugees from Mexico’s Cristero War resettle in the city in the 1920s. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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Scientists at the University of South Alabama observed that mice on a high-salt diet experienced rapid deterioration in their blood vessel function.— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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One is instantaneous, the brain just flips into unrecognizable thoughts, and the other is a deterioration over time.— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This year’s inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lean far too male and over 60, with the class consisting of only six women spread among all of the categories — a disappointing decline after some notable changes following the departure of chairman Jann Wenner.— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
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Relegation would trigger massive declines in matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue.— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026
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Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.— Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 1943, the United States government administered a questionnaire to people of Japanese descent who had been confined to wartime concentration camps in California, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Arkansas.— Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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All of these Les Lalanne pieces belong to the collection of Jean and Terry de Gunzburg — Jean is a Canadian of French aristocratic descent and a Bronfman of the Seagram’s empire; Terry was the creative director of YSL beauty.— David Lê, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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