devolution
noun
de·vo·lu·tion
ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən 
also ˌdē-və-
1
: transference (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another
especially
: the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central government
2
: retrograde (see retrograde entry 1 sense 2) evolution : degeneration
Synonyms
Examples of devolution in a Sentence
the gradual devolution of the neighborhood from a thriving community of close-knit families to a drug-ridden slum
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
—
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
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Dictionary Entries Near devolution
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devolution. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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devolution
noun
de·vo·lu·tion
ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən, ˌdē-
: the transfer (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another
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