Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 26, 2026, is "devolve." Devolve means to gradually decline from an advanced to a less advanced state. It also signifies passing responsibility or power to someone at a lower level of authority. For instance, a debate can devolve into petty competition. Community leaders may wish for a government to devolve more power. The word "devolve" shares roots with "evolve" and "revolve," all stemming from the Latin verb "volvere," meaning to roll. Originally, "devolve" literally meant to roll onward or downward. Today, its usage is more figurative, describing a descent into chaos or the transfer of power downwards. This word highlights the dynamic nature of English vocabulary.