1
as in fell
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorated
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 plunged
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
as in dismounted
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descended
The radical republic that replaced it bore little resemblance to the partner of 1778, having descended into chaos, executions, and ideological extremism that threatened neighboring states.
—
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Middle East efforts In Bulgaria, Mladenov held the position of defense minister for a year, before serving as foreign minister from 2010-13, during the uprisings in the Middle East known as the Arab Spring when Syria also descended into civil war.
—Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The View descended into chaos Friday morning as Ana Navarro and Sunny Hostin began the episode with a heated exchange.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The clashes have since descended into an all-out civil war, characterized by ethnic violence, attacks on civilians and atrocities committed by all sides, according to humanitarian groups and foreign governments.
—Byguy Davies, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2026
Community members descended on the neighborhood Wednesday after the shooting to honor and remember her.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
The big story Last month, Indian airports descended into chaos as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the country’s largest airline, Indigo, upending travel plans for thousands of passengers.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
But the Potato Expo, the annual gathering for the potato industry, is much more than just a good time for the 2,100-plus potato enthusiasts who have descended on DFW.
—CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
There was even some shopping, as 1,200 loyal customers as well as shopkeepers, brand reps, socialites, models and some local officials descended on Bal Harbour Shops to commemorate the luxury center’s 60th anniversary.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Middle East efforts In Bulgaria, Mladenov held the position of defense minister for a year, before serving as foreign minister from 2010-13, during the uprisings in the Middle East known as the Arab Spring when Syria also descended into civil war.
—Veselin Toshkov, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The View descended into chaos Friday morning as Ana Navarro and Sunny Hostin began the episode with a heated exchange.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The clashes have since descended into an all-out civil war, characterized by ethnic violence, attacks on civilians and atrocities committed by all sides, according to humanitarian groups and foreign governments.
—Byguy Davies, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2026
Community members descended on the neighborhood Wednesday after the shooting to honor and remember her.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
The big story Last month, Indian airports descended into chaos as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the country’s largest airline, Indigo, upending travel plans for thousands of passengers.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
But the Potato Expo, the annual gathering for the potato industry, is much more than just a good time for the 2,100-plus potato enthusiasts who have descended on DFW.
—CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
There was even some shopping, as 1,200 loyal customers as well as shopkeepers, brand reps, socialites, models and some local officials descended on Bal Harbour Shops to commemorate the luxury center’s 60th anniversary.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descended
Verb
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The at-bats were brief and uneventful, the opposite of the approach that carried Toronto to this stage and felled Snell in Game 1.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That says a lot about the 2025 Red Sox, who were a top offensive team in many metrics, but were also felled by their bats in crucial spots throughout the year and postseason.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the time, Denver’s Landmark Preservation office told the Denver Gazette that the old neon was too deteriorated to restore.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The already-frosty relationship between Devers and the front office deteriorated to an irreparable level in May, when Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Erdoğan changed course in 2023 and brought in new central-bank leadership who jacked interest rates to nearly 50 percent and plunged the country into a recession in a desperate effort to restore credibility.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Shares have plunged more than 20% over the course of those two days.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Oil prices crumbled again a year later, sending Venezuela into economic calamity, with hyperinflation and mass migration out of the country.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Though both sides reached a settlement in November, the conflict was an ugly sign of how solidarity between these organizations crumbled in an attempt to persevere.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wash With Soap and Water As a final step, dab the area with a cloth or sponge dipped in slightly soapy water.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The number of teachers on the payroll dipped, too, by about 17% in 2022 and 2023 before creeping back up in 2024 and 2025, according to data provided by Epic.—
Jennifer Palmer,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trio made their way onto the plane only after all passengers had disembarked, followed by the coroner conducting an initial evaluation of the deceased.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
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Evans disembarked the cruise ship for an organized tour and got off the bus in Marigot, Saint Martin, but did not come back, according to authorities.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The backlash could’ve worsened the casualties in the nine-year war.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
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The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descended. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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