devolve
Transfer to another
Devolve means to pass or transfer to another, typically downward in a hierarchy.
Power devolves from central to local government.
Responsibilities devolve to subordinates.
The word often implies deterioration—a situation devolves into chaos, a discussion devolves into shouting: The meeting quickly devolved into personal attacks.
What devolves tends to get worse or less organized.
Grow worse over time
- declineDecrease or refuse
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- regressRevert to earlier state
- backslideRevert to bad habits
decay · worsen · atrophy · retrogress · descend · sink · lapse · relapse
deteriorate
Grow worse over time
- declineDecrease or refuse
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- regressRevert to earlier state
backslide · decay · worsen · atrophy · retrogress · descend · sink · lapse · relapse · collapse
delegate
Entrust authority to another
- cedeFormally surrender possession
- transferMove between locations
- decentralizeDistribute control outward
relinquish · entrust · assign · consign · vest · hand over · pass down · confer · deputize · empower
fall back
Withdraw from advance
- decentralizationdecentralized, distribute, spread, disperse, scatter
- getting rid ofunload, disposal, dump, shed, offloading
devolveimprove
Raise in quality
progress · evolve · advance · ameliorate · develop
devolvecentralize
Unify under single control
consolidate · concentrate · federalize · nationalize · unify