1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descend
Even a half-century later, the undead ghouls that descend upon survivors in a Pennsylvania farm house are timeless and the gut-punch ending couldn't be more timely.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal agents recently descended on Georgia state election offices without warning, seizing equipment, records, and ballots.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Nearly 2,900 athletes have descended on Milan Cortina for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic games.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal agents recently descended on Georgia state election offices without warning, seizing equipment, records, and ballots.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
Nearly 2,900 athletes have descended on Milan Cortina for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic games.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
-
The wait time can fall anywhere between six minutes and six hours.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, as a powerhouse couple, that fall more in step with the likes of Hailey and Justin Bieber’s individual style statements than, say, Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet’s joint method dressing.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Common findings from sewer scopes include root intrusion at joints (especially common in clay pipes), belly or sag in the line where water pools, cracked or offset joints, and deteriorated Orangeburg sections.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The value of the currency has plunged, and inflation has climbed to record levels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Five years later, the February 2021 freeze remains a defining reference point each winter when temperatures plunge.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stopping, the man dismounted and shot that big bear square in the chest.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The popular halftime performer known as Red Panda finished her signature seven-minute set, looked up at a crowd of fans chanting her name and flashed a smile before dismounting.—
Alanis Thames,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hiking Falling Waters State Park features three short nature trails that wind through dense forests, past 100-foot-deep sinkholes, and over gently sloping terrain unique to North Florida.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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The cars were situated on a little plateau, almost a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by downward sloping terrain.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
George Washington's chin is crumbling.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set the scene Palm Springs has long been a retreat for those seeking a restorative weekend away from the bustle of nearby Los Angeles and, come winter when the temps dip in most places around the States, those desperate for a dose of winter sun.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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According to the city, the program which works through the Open Rewards app on Apple and Google app stores helps boost Southlake’s sales tax revenue when businesses see dips right after the Christmas holiday season.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Growing up, her family would travel from London to their second home in Italy, disembarking in Dover and boarding the ferry for the Channel crossing.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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That was where miners disembarked for the northern mines in the Sierra Nevada mountains.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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