devolve
devolve Lexical Profile
devolve Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To degenerate, deteriorate, or sink gradually into a worse, less orderly, or lower state (usually followed by 'into').
"What began as a productive committee meeting quickly devolved into a heated argument over budget cuts."
To transfer or delegate power, authority, or responsibility to a lower or more local level, especially from a central government to regional administrations.
"The central government voted to devolve greater fiscal authority to the regional assemblies."
To pass or fall as a duty, right, or legal estate upon a successor or substitute in the absence of the primary holder.
"When the chairperson stepped down unexpectedly, the responsibility of leading the board devolved upon the vice president."
Word Nuance & Usage
When describing the transfer of duties or responsibilities, 'devolve' is typically followed by the prepositions 'on', 'upon', or 'to' (e.g., 'duties devolved upon the deputy'), whereas when describing degeneration into a worse state, it is followed by 'into' (e.g., 'the debate devolved into a shouting match').
• Rhymes for devolve
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Latin devolvere ('to roll down'), formed from the prefix de- ('down') and volvere ('to roll').