descend

verb

di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio)
Definition of descendnext
1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward the pathway descends to the river bank

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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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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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of descend Over time, as players bluff, bargain, and make increasingly dubious trades, trust starts to erode, more and more adverse selection happens — and the game descends into a kind of joyful chaos. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 The murder case descended into chaos when allegations that court clerk Rebecca Hill made inappropriate comments to jurors while the trial was ongoing. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 In the next year, 30,000 prospectors descended on the Klondike, chasing the same fortune. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026 More than a decade after the search began, divers finally descended approximately 96 m — or 315 feet — to the site north of Lefkada. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
  1. fall
  2. deteriorate
  3. plunge
  4. dismount
  5. slope
  6. crumble
  7. dip
  8. disembark
Verb
  • Brokerages price crypto like an asset class, a few dozen basis points and falling.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Kabita quickly fell pregnant with a daughter of her own, Sonam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • But the journey can turn rough when wind and sea conditions deteriorate, Agnos said, particularly around the Cyclades, where seasonal Meltemi winds can churn up the Aegean.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After approximately three weeks in the field, a supervisor allegedly sent her home after observing that her physical condition was deteriorating.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • Results for the youngest students, third graders, plunged 14 percentage points, with only 44% scoring proficient in the subject.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In particular, lettuce prices plunged 16% after a deadly Cyclospora illness outbreak led to a recall of iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage involved in the fatal crash suspended the driver indefinitely and plans to retire the horse, according to union officials, who said the driver improperly dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Brace for notorious Keyserville Road, a long sandy slope where some cyclists dismount and push.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of dismount
Verb
  • On Saturdays, Riverwalk Market Fair fills a small leafy park sloping down to the Cannon River with vendors selling fine art, fresh produce, and artisan food.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026
  • After more than a year of use, the pillow can slope slightly overnight; a quick fluff brings it largely back to shape.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • The fundamental bargain the United States offered has crumbled, and it will not be easily rebuilt.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Also, why put this burden on federal agencies that are experiencing record low staffing shortages in facilities that are crumbling.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • In terms of lead or co-lead roles, women and girls have seen progress (38 films in 2025 compared to 20 in 2007), but the figure dipped from the 19-year high of 55 lead/co-lead roles in 2024.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Even though the forecast for this year is solid, with Cisco projecting revenue growth of about 15%, analysts see sales growth dipping next fiscal year back into the single digits.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • The switch was revealed when a Secret Service agent resembling Clinton stepped out of Air Force One upon touching down in Pakistan, while Clinton disembarked from the second aircraft.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The river boat passenger had become sick and disembarked nearly three weeks ago in Pimu, in the province of Mongala, more than 1,000 kilometers from Kinshasa along the Congo River, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said on Thursday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of disembark

Phrases Containing descend

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descants
descend
descendant
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Cite this Entry

“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of descend for Spanish Speakers

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