de·volve 
/dɪˈvɑ:lv/ verb
de·volves; de·volved; de·volv·ing /dɪˈvɑ:lv/ verb formal 1 [no obj] chiefly US : to gradually go from an advanced state to a less advanced state
▪ She cynically asserts that our species is devolving. ▪ Somehow the debate devolved into a petty competition to see who could get more applause. — opposite evolve 2 : to pass (responsibility, power, etc.) from one person or group to another person or group at a lower level of authority — + to, on, or upon [+ obj] ▪ Community leaders hope that the new government will devolve more power to/on/upon the community itself. [no obj] ▪ Responsibility has devolved to/upon the individual teachers. 3 [no obj] : to be given to someone after the owner has died — + to, on, or upon ▪ Upon his death, the estate devolved to/on/upon a distant cousin. [=a distant cousin inherited the estate]
▪ She cynically asserts that our species is devolving. ▪ Somehow the debate devolved into a petty competition to see who could get more applause. — opposite evolve
