descend

verb

di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio)
Definition of descendnext
1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward the pathway descends to the river bank

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2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the order of the classroom descended into chaos when the teacher left the room

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3
as in to plunge
to go to a lower level especially abruptly leaves slowly descended from the branches in the gentle autumn wind wait for the elevator to descend

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4
as in to dismount
to come down from something (as a vehicle) the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of descend The visuals are too murky even to provide a nasty thrill when a pod of orcas descends on Jay’s gargantuan host. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 The winds develop when air moves from the Great Basin west toward the California coast, descending mountain slopes and becoming warmer and drier. — Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The sprawling network, which could date as far back as the 8th century BCE, descends roughly 280 feet, housing everything from stables and kitchens to rock-cut churches and escape tunnels. — Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 After this news and Tusk’s vocal campaign in support of Ukraine and against any possible Russian hybrid attacks, NATO and international leaders descended upon Warsaw for the international forum. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
  1. fall
  2. deteriorate
  3. plunge
  4. dismount
  5. slope
  6. crumble
  7. dip
  8. disembark
Verb
  • But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • Such a summit would be unprecedented and deeply alarming to Ukraine’s European allies, particularly as relations between Washington and Kyiv deteriorate.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The situation deteriorated further after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war in 1975.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • While there was plenty of skin on display — transparent dresses, breasts covered merely by jewelry or a model’s hand, and plunging necklines — the brand is deeply rooted in inclusivity.
    — Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • CoreWeave was the poster child of last week's declines, plunging more than 25%.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Buck has long since dismounted from his high horse, but people who live in glass houses that are also occupied by Mike Darnell should probably be a bit more judicious when hucking rocks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Governing bodies in neighboring San Ramon, San Anselmo in Marin County, and Burlingame in San Mateo County have adopted similar policies requiring people to dismount e-bikes when traveling through public parks.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismount
Verb
  • Any normal mattress would’ve been an improvement over our current one, a sub-$300 queen-size nightmare of sloping sides and too-springy springs.
    — Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The brush was flattened and rivulets of water ran back toward the sound, which was now miraculously some 100 yards away down a sloping bank.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • As ocean levels rise, waves crash farther inland and the coast continues to crumble, Southern California is on track to lose 30 to 70% of its beaches over the next several decades.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Jarman pointed out, rightly, that in the 1630s, the walls wouldn’t have been crumbling at all.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Fashion designers are dipping couture in peat; memes on Instagram offer help choosing your bog witch name.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Denver Water recommends disconnecting garden hoses and shutting off outdoor faucets before temperatures dip below freezing.
    — Tori Mason, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • Sailors began disembarking the USS Lincoln on Thursday following a deployment that included a record 265 uninterrupted days at sea and reports of supply shortages and deteriorating mental health among the crew.
    — Julie Watson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Scores of new fathers kissed their babies for the first time, couples cried and embraced and hundreds of parents let out a collective sigh of relief as the crew disembarked on the north end of the Coronado peninsula.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disembark

Phrases Containing descend

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descend
descendant
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Cite this Entry

“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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