Synonyms of ascent

ascent

noun

ə-ˈsent 

1

as in climb

the act or an instance of rising or climbing up

our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• climb
• ascension
• rising
• rise
• takeoff
• hike
• soar
• increase
• elevation
• raise
• liftoff
• hoist
• thrust
• boost
• levitation
• raising
• upsurge
• upturn
• upheaval
• upswing
• blastoff
• uplifting
• heave
• uptrend
• upwelling
• upthrust
• upraising
• upsweep

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• descent
• fall
• drop
• dip
• dive
• plunge
• sinking
• decrease
• decline
• nosedive
• down
• plummeting
• downfall
• plop
• downgrade
• comedown

2

as in hill

an upward slope

we'd reached the final ascent of the trail to the summit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hill
• climb
• incline
• inclination
• uphill
• rise
• acclivity
• gradient
• uprise
• upgrade
• ridge
• pitch
• lean
• tilt
• diagonal
• rake
• grade
• glacis
• swell
• mound
• cant
• hump

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• descent
• decline
• fall
• downhill
• dip
• declivity
• hanging
• declension
• downgrade
• basin
• depression
• drop-off
• hollow
• hang

3

as in promotion

a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position

his long, gradual ascent into the ranks of management

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promotion
• rise
• advancement
• elevation
• creation
• upgrading
• preferment
• upgrade
• preference
• exaltation
• aggrandizement
• glorification
• magnification
• ennoblement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduction
• degradation
• abasement
• removal
• demotion
• deposition
• suspension
• downgrade
• dismissal
• overthrow
• expulsion
• discharge
• impeachment
• comedown
• ouster
• fall
• downfall
• disrating
• dethronement
• unmaking
• unseating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ascent

Infantino has recently made two trips to Morocco, meeting with King Mohammed VI during annual celebrations of his ascent to the throne in July and then holding a FIFA crisis meeting there in August. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Custer County Search and Rescue CommonSpirit Flight for Life helped the technical rope rescue team at Cottonwood Lake begin the ascent to reach the injured man. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

The set, as with Jorjiana’s ascent at large, didn’t come without its criticisms. — Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026

Most people experience acute mountain sickness within 24 hours of ascent, developing symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea or problems with sleep. — Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026