as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value the once-lovely neighborhood has devolved into a squalid 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 devolves One member of the catering team (performed with heartrending stoicism by Joyce DiDonato) lost her daughter that day, and the inevitable confrontation between the two mothers devolves into cake-throwing farce. —
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026 But when the goal of the endeavor shifts from listening to talking back, the project rapidly devolves into chaos. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 Iran’s future must be a secular republic grounded in pluralism, one that recognizes its multinational character, guarantees language and cultural rights, and devolves real power to regions. —Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026 Or, perhaps even more likely, Iran devolves into a morass, a chaotic power struggle that destabilizes the entire powder keg of a region. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026 In the show, Lucy and Stephen are an on-off couple whose relationship devolves into a series of dark secrets and manipulations. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 The hanging quickly devolves into an all-out bacchanal, as onlookers drink, dance and kiss in the square surrounding the flailing corpse. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 This is how a group chat among young Republicans devolves into talk of loving Hitler. —Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026 But when the goal of the endeavor shifts from listening to talking back, the project rapidly devolves into chaos. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 Iran’s future must be a secular republic grounded in pluralism, one that recognizes its multinational character, guarantees language and cultural rights, and devolves real power to regions. —Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026 Or, perhaps even more likely, Iran devolves into a morass, a chaotic power struggle that destabilizes the entire powder keg of a region. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026 In the show, Lucy and Stephen are an on-off couple whose relationship devolves into a series of dark secrets and manipulations. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 The hanging quickly devolves into an all-out bacchanal, as onlookers drink, dance and kiss in the square surrounding the flailing corpse. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 This is how a group chat among young Republicans devolves into talk of loving Hitler. —Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolves
Verb
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Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby.— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
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Originally staged at Avignon in 2025, the play follows a father and daughter whose bond is tested across the vastness of space as one of them starts a new life on Mars while Earth deteriorates.— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Highway descends into chaos after massive 75-vehicle pileup, amid hazardous winter weather.— , FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
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The film is set in the idyllic summer town of Bayleen Bay, which descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
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Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Strong cleaners can leave residue that actually worsens allergy symptoms.— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
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The funding is aimed at supporting a three-pronged plan put forward by a South End, Roxbury, and Newmarket community working group in February that focuses on getting addicts off the streets, out of jail, and into recovery to avoid the chaos and crowding that worsens there each summer.— Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, the USPS has become increasingly dependent on package delivery as first-class mail declines, making large customers like Amazon even more important.— Barbara Booth, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
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Brandenburg-Koch declines to talk specifically about the Busfield case.— Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/devolves. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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