Devolve

Quick meaning: Devolve is a verb meaning (transitive) To delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone.

Meaning

(transitive) To delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To fall as a duty or responsibility on or upon someone.
2. (intransitive) To degenerate; to break down.
3. (intransitive) To be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To roll (something) down; to unroll.

Example Sentences

Near-synonyms: unwind, unfurl

Near-synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down

A discussion about politics may devolve into a shouting match.

every headlong stream / Devolves its winding waters to the main.

Word Forms

• devolves
• devolving
• devolved

Synonyms for devolve

Depending on context, synonyms include unwind, unfurl, pass, return, fall.

Antonyms for devolve

Common opposites include deteriorate, atrophy, break down, crack, decline, degenerate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include fall, pass, return, move, trespass, relocate.

Related Dictionary Tools