ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 

variants or less commonly ascendency

: governing or controlling influence : domination

Did you know?

In the course of a year, the sun appears to pass through the twelve constellations of the zodiac in sequence, and all the planets also lie close to the solar path. The constellation and planet that are just rising, or ascendant, above the eastern horizon in the sun's path at the moment of a child's birth are said by astrologers to exercise a lifelong controlling influence over the child. This is the idea that lies at the heart of ascendancy, though the word today no longer hints at supernatural powers.

Synonyms

• dominance
• domination
• reign
• supremacy

Examples of ascendancy in a Sentence

the ascendancy of the government

a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after World War I

Recent Examples on the Web

In an interview in August, tech journalist Cleo Abram asked Altman to give an example of a business decision that was best for the world at the expense of his own company’s ascendancy. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025

The union issued a statement to members on Wednesday that underscores the ascendancy of these projects, which are typically feature-length narratives that are divided into one- to three-minute segments for consumption in portrait mode on mobile. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025

Yet, Pierson points out, the ascendancy of brisket in Jewish kitchens can be attributed to the kosher laws and our love of tradition and economics. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025

But there’s another key to the series’ ascendancy that lends additional credit to its creators: time. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ascendancy

• ascendency
• dependency
• independency
• interdependency
• superintendency
• pendency
• tendency

Kids Definition

ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən-sē 

: controlling influence