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
Rescue teams continued to search for other climbers believed to be attempting to descend.
—
ABC News, 8 May 2026
And mere days before the art world descended on Venice for the preview week, the entire jury resigned, presumably related to their prior decision to exclude countries charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, which would include both Israel and Russia.
—Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 7 May 2026
The next morning, in rainy Washington, the protester came down from the bridge, descending via an internal ladder in the arch.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
But nothing has replaced the void left by mining, which, though dangerous and poorly paid, galvanized those who descended into the earth with working-class pride and purpose.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
ABC News, 8 May 2026
And mere days before the art world descended on Venice for the preview week, the entire jury resigned, presumably related to their prior decision to exclude countries charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, which would include both Israel and Russia.
—Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 7 May 2026
The next morning, in rainy Washington, the protester came down from the bridge, descending via an internal ladder in the arch.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
But nothing has replaced the void left by mining, which, though dangerous and poorly paid, galvanized those who descended into the earth with working-class pride and purpose.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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Huntington Beach fell behind early in the second set but continued to keep the set close before Fruerbringer’s kill gave the Mustangs a 16-11 lead.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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After a jump ball, Miles chased down the ball at midcourt, started to drive and passed to Hof, whose layup at the buzzer did not fall.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The debate followed a Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association forum in which Bass and Raman previewed several themes that resurfaced Wednesday, including homelessness policy, LAPD staffing, housing density and frustration over deteriorating city services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
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Despite the nonprofit spending $925,000 on ice rental during the 2025-26 season, conditions at the rink deteriorated under Black Bear, said Michalak, who briefly worked at the rink after Black Bear bought it.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Both events promise unforgettable views of the sun's corona, plunging daytime into an eerie twilight.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 May 2026
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Inventories in independent storage at the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub have plunged a third since the war started to a six-year low, according to Insights Global, which gets data from terminal operators.—
Grant Smith,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Chiles, though, did rebound with a clean beam and dismount for a 9.9500 score to get the Bruins back in it.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Sometimes the world is spinning too fast to dismount.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From South India and Sri Lanka come emphatic roasts and stews, the pageantry of lamprais (a whole meal baked in banana leaf) and lacy hoppers, fermented rice flour pancakes with sides that slope upward as if in bloom.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Surrounded by mature trees, dense greenery, and high walls, the grounds create a private, park-like idyll with sloping lawns, spacious terraces, and views toward the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park Observatory, with a swimming pool at the center of the estate.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Top issues for the West Valley include public safety, the homeless and a failing infrastructure (street lights out, crumbling sidewalks, etc).—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
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This would be perfect for elote (Mexican street corn) or to crumble on a plate of chilaquiles.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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In the middle of last month, for example, rates briefly dipped under 6% for 30-year terms.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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In Nagoro, a remote village in Tokushima Prefecture, the population has dipped from 300+ to less than 30.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Groups of passengers and crew disembarked from the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak on Sunday in Spain, where they were expected to be evacuated to their home countries and begin quarantining to prevent further spread of the disease.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Oceanwide Expeditions, operator of the cruise ship MV Hondius, says at least 29 living passengers from 12 countries disembarked the ship and went home after the death of the first passenger on board (before officials knew of the outbreak).—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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