DESCENT Synonyms: 262 Similar and Opposite Words

descent

noun

di-ˈsent

Definition of descent

as in drop

the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field

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as in deterioration

a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body the family patriarch's heartbreaking descent into infirmity and senility

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as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution

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as in demise

a loss of status for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans

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as in invasion

a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town

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as in assault

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields

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as in ancestry

the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a person of Finnish descent

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as in downhill

a downward slope on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents

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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 descent The first American woman to finish a marathon under 2 hours, 30 minutes, Patti Catalano Dillon, is of Mi’kmaw descent and grew up in Massachusetts. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 The smaller probe will then head toward the asteroid's surface, a descent that should take two to three hours depending on 269 Justitia's precise gravity, which remains unknown. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Their continued descent down the rankings is also likely having an effect on how AP voters rank Boise State. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026 Down at Advanced Base Camp on the Tibetan side, the anxious Indian team could see two headlamps light up their descent high on the mountain. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for descent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent

Noun

With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
For instance, the company launched its bronzing drops because community members asked for them on a TikTok live, and created a pickle lip balm because pickles were a huge trend on social media.

— Colleen McKown, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

Unlike Netflix, Disney is wrestling with the ongoing deterioration of linear TV.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
That creates a different situation when a condition begins with something a resident or guest did rather than deterioration of the building or a maintenance issue.

— Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

The degradation is shameful, and shamefully compelling to read about.

— James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
The work also revises some degradation mechanisms described in earlier scientific literature, which the researchers said had relied largely on assumptions rather than experimental evidence.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of degradation

Noun

Above all, the election could herald the political demise of Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving PM, who has led the nation for all but 18 months since 2009.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
Columnist Bill Plaschke wrote how a team with seemingly every advantage fell short, beat writer Maddie Lee documented what led to the demise, while columnist Bill Shaikin provided updates to several questions on the team’s future.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of demise

Noun

After Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Germany, which in 2021 had imported more than half of its gas from Russia, initially opposed an embargo on Russian oil and gas before reversing course in May of that year.

— Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
The prospect of a Chinese invasion has long loomed over Taiwan’s horizon.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of invasion

Noun

Mace and Bryant were not yet engaged at the time of the October 2018 assault.

— MEG KINNARD, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
On Tuesday, the DA’s Office charged Gonzalez with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, elder abuse, vandalism and battery.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Despite Africa’s central place in human origins and its extraordinary genetic diversity, people of African ancestry remain underrepresented in the genomic datasets used to understand disease, estimate health risks, and develop treatments.

— Segun Fatumo, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Defense attorney Phil Barber said the findings could rule out certain individuals as contributors and may provide ancestry information, although the test cannot differentiate between men who share the same paternal ancestors.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancestry

Noun

Direct water toward the bed by installing a gutter extension, creating a downhill slope, digging a trench or connecting a PVC pipe to a distant gutter and running it underground to the rain garden.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Allen is a solid downhill, change-of-pace runner who can be used in short-yardage situations.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026