in descending order
idiom
: arranged in a series that begins with the greatest or largest and ends with the least or smallest
The states are listed in descending order of population size.
The sale items are arranged in descending order according to price.
Examples of in descending order in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Seven chapters in descending order structure the movie’s story as a countdown of hiccups, indignations, and even a hallucination, a day each in a pivotal week that will determine Teresa’s destiny.
—
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
The top five states where drivers have been removed from roads are, in descending order, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Iowa, and Arizona.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The other six grants were awarded to the cities of Duluth, Mankato, Virginia, Wabasha, Floodwood and Two Harbors, according to grant size in descending order.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Each juror selects their ten best players in descending order from the shortlist of thirty.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in descending order
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.
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
The top five states where drivers have been removed from roads are, in descending order, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Iowa, and Arizona.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The other six grants were awarded to the cities of Duluth, Mankato, Virginia, Wabasha, Floodwood and Two Harbors, according to grant size in descending order.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Each juror selects their ten best players in descending order from the shortlist of thirty.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in descending order
Cite this Entry
“In descending order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20descending%20order. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share