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devolve

[dih-volv] / dɪˈvɒlv /
VERB
transfer
Synonyms




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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After Sasaki gave up a solo home run to Matt Olson in the first inning, the outing began to devolve in the fourth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Little did they know it would turn into a four-year saga that would cost them tens of thousands of dollars and devolve into a legal battle between their insurance company and the contractor’s.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

Police and crime commissioners will be abolished as part of plans to devolve powers to Norfolk and Suffolk and create a mayorship covering the two counties.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Two other officials familiar with the dinner said it was very cordial and their leaders breathed a major sigh of relief after it was over that it didn’t devolve into a shouting match.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

The arguments over Bailey’s future began early and occur frequently, though at this point they often devolve into repetitive phrases and tense silences.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

It’s also a send-up of legal procedurals, with Lincoln’s cases including a fight over who’s the real Santa Claus and a custody battle that devolves into a theological debate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

If the situation devolves any further, then Spurs will likely finish in the bottom three and be booted into the second-tier Championship for next season.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 14, 2026

It is a shame this strong film devolves when it could have just ended.

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2024

Social media devolves into an echo chamber of torches and parading pitchforks, all aimed at Frankenstein’s monster.

From Seattle Times ● May 31, 2024

“I can’t believe…” Her stammering devolves into sobs as Dad wraps both arms around her shoulders.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Similar schemes are held for the devolved Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Monday's talks are likely to cover the way the devolved nations are funded by the UK government.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Legal responsibility for social security is almost entirely devolved to Stormont so local ministers have the powers to make their own rules on Pip or any other part of the welfare system.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Instead, this week’s G-20 finance summit in the Blue Ridge Mountains devolved into trade spats, public insults and a dust-up over a photo op.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

More astonishing, perhaps, was the fact that time travel hadn’t broken my brain; that by some miracle, I had not yet devolved into a gibbering crazy person ranting on a street corner.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Burnham said his time as Greater Manchester mayor had given him "a clear theory of growth", namely that devolving powers to regions outside London would boost their economy.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

That case wouldn’t just go down as one of the most shameful moments in the court’s history; it was also the legal system’s most significant contribution in devolving the country into the Civil War.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

He has championed devolving power to regional hubs as a lever for growth.

From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026

How has a band that’s been together for more than 50 years managed to remain a creative force without burning out, splitting up or devolving into little more than a human jukebox pumping out nostalgia?

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

Arran died unmarried in March 1609, the title devolving on his nephew James, 2nd marquess of Hamilton.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various




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