as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against
the shock troops descended on the village without warning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend (on or upon)
Verb
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In October alone, shoppers were attacked in a supermarket, a Spanish tourist was scratched by a cub at a heritage site, and a trail runner was forced to wrestle a bear in the woods before sprinting to safety.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025 -
Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel in response and attacked the Middle East's largest American military base in Qatar.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An 88-year-old Seattle woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after a man violently assaulted and robbed her, biting off her finger and stealing her jewelry, police say.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In video of the event shared on social media, several members of the audience could be seen physically assaulting one of the activists who lit a red flare.—
Philippe Cordier,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The thieves raided the Apollo Gallery on the Louvre’s upper floor, which houses the French crown jewels, on October 19.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 1917, during WWI, a German newspaper in Cincinnati was raided by the US government.—
Carl Weiser,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Players must focus on teamwork, communication and coordination to successfully complete orders before customers get angry and storm out.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Arteta can strike a crotchety figure in post-match interviews, particularly when his team have dropped points.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Descend (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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