Devolve is not the opposite of evolve. To devolve is to transfer ruling power to a lower level, e.g. from a central government to regional governments. A speci

Devolve is not the opposite of evolve. To devolve is to transfer ruling power to a lower level, e.g. from a central government to regional governments. A species evolves to adapt to its environment. The opposite (if there can be such a thing) would be to not evolve.