devolve
/dɪˈvɑlv/
verb
- To transfer or delegate power, responsibility, or authority from a central government or organization to a lower level or local branch.
- Many countries devolve certain powers to their states or provinces.
- The company plans to devolve decision-making to individual department heads.
- The national government decided to devolve control over education to the regional councils.
- To gradually pass into a worse or simpler state; to deteriorate or degenerate.
- The conversation devolved into meaningless gossip.
- Their friendly argument devolved into a loud shouting match.
- Without proper maintenance, the once-beautiful park devolved into a neglected mess.
- To be passed down or transferred to someone else, especially as a duty or right.
- When the manager retired, the responsibility devolved to her assistant.
- The estate devolved to the eldest son according to the will.
- After the committee chair resigned, the leadership devolved to the vice-chair.
Antonyms