1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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4
as in to dismount
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of descend
The two men launched a coup together in 2021 before a power struggle between them descended into all-out war in 2023.
—
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In the film, a young girl (Linda Blair) becomes possessed by a demon and gradually descends into madness.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
In Hedda Gabler, Hedda walks to a private chamber and shoots herself, while the final seconds of Hedda show its protagonist tear herself from Brack’s grasp, flee across the lawn, fill up her pockets with stones to descend beneath the surface of their pond.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The slow progress of the search prompted concerns from environmental groups about the animals’ survival when harsh winter conditions descend on the Sierra rangeland where they are believed to still be living.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In the film, a young girl (Linda Blair) becomes possessed by a demon and gradually descends into madness.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
In Hedda Gabler, Hedda walks to a private chamber and shoots herself, while the final seconds of Hedda show its protagonist tear herself from Brack’s grasp, flee across the lawn, fill up her pockets with stones to descend beneath the surface of their pond.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The slow progress of the search prompted concerns from environmental groups about the animals’ survival when harsh winter conditions descend on the Sierra rangeland where they are believed to still be living.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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And King Priam, at great personal risk, shows up with a ransom and falls on his knees and clasps Achilles’ hand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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As Semafor previously reported, many inside the magazine were excited by Guiducci’s arrival, believing the old Vanity Fair was moving too slowly, had fallen too far outside the zeitgeist, and had lost some of its sheen.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Data centers deteriorate rapidly, unlike the more durable infrastructure of canals, railroads, or even fiber-optic cables.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
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During an earnings call Wednesday, Lyons said Argentina’s deteriorating economic environment contributed to slowing growth and margin disappointment.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Take soybeans, a key American export that saw Chinese purchases plunge this year over trade frictions.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Newell Brands — The Rubbermaid and Sharpie maker plunged 28% after its quarterly results and forecast disappointed.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After having dismounted, the person crossed the street and moved into a wooded area.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
12 Sep. 2025
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This enables wide distribution across the front lines, especially in areas where soldiers are primarily dismounted.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It is developed for spraying, weeding, mowing, and hauling across flat or sloped terrain.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, seawater intrudes like an advancing army toward thicker ice, which rests on bedrock that slopes inward toward the bowl-like center of the continent.—
Evan Howell,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Careers shift, relationships evolve and whatever’s been built on shaky grounds tends to crumble in order for something strong and enduring to take root.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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While Dalton was inept in his fill-in duty, the Panthers’ defense also crumbled, especially against the run.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Performances have not been disastrous, even as results have dipped against strong opponents.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Highs are expected to reach the lower 80s with temperatures dipping to the 60s— a welcome break after the long hot summer and early fall.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Passengers were on The Hop when the wires were hit and were able to safely disembark.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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In the climax, the yacht docks in Norway, and everyone disembarks.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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