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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Recent Examples of devolution
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Welsh Parliament to commemorate the 25th anniversary of devolution from the U.K. government, and the monarch hinted at his eldest son's connection to the country as the Prince of Wales.
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Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024
The devolution from red pill to black pill is an illustration of the strange metastasis of online content, which tends to always grow darker.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
But, even allowing for the competitive extremes of teen-age culture, the sheer rapidity of Riley’s devolution beggars belief in ways that her emotional crisis in the first movie didn’t.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Like Trump’s ugly, erratic politics, Musk’s website is substantially contributing to the devolution of thinking on the right.
—David French, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devolution 
Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024
The devolution from red pill to black pill is an illustration of the strange metastasis of online content, which tends to always grow darker.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
But, even allowing for the competitive extremes of teen-age culture, the sheer rapidity of Riley’s devolution beggars belief in ways that her emotional crisis in the first movie didn’t.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Like Trump’s ugly, erratic politics, Musk’s website is substantially contributing to the devolution of thinking on the right.
—David French, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devolution
Noun
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The Chinese ruling party's past anxieties over regime security played a significant role in the rapid deterioration of the bilateral relationship.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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The deterioration in Volkswagen’s prospects point to worsening conditions in the private sector in Germany.Hanna Ziady, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Risk mitigation: Investors recognize that climate change and environmental degradation pose long-term risks to the financial system and specific sectors.Christer Holloman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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In addition, there has been some recent degradation of rangeland and pastures, as well as a lack of soil moisture for the establishment of fall-sown crops, including winter wheat, according to the USDA.Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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So far, London has experienced a bit of a slump in the luxury real estate market in 2024 with a decline in high-end deals.Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
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Shares in Hugo Boss closed 4.3% lower after the company posted a better-than-expected operating profit in the third quarter but flagged declines in the Asia-Pacific region linked to weakness in China.Karen Gilchrist,Sophie Kiderlin,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.WWD, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
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Thomas said the sheriff's office presented the case to the district attorney's office for declination purposes only because of Suff's prior convictions and death sentence.Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Harris is the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent to be a major party's presidential nominee.Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
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And there’s the historical significance of the candidates themselves: Harris, 60, would be the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as U.S. President.TIME Staff, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devolution. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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