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 Unraveling There isn’t an easy answer as to why Sudan has descended once again into civil war.
—
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
Wilde’s 2022 psychological thriller, headlined by Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, descended into tabloid chaos amid rampant speculation over an apparent feud between Pugh and Wilde, plus the romance between Wilde and Styles that allegedly originated during production.
—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
24 June 2026
There is some truth to this because for one summer, in 1985, that was its name — a film crew descended on the venue, shooting a scene where a group of older boys played pool.
—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The Montauk surfing scene took off in the 1960s, when pros and amateurs descended on the area for what are said to be the best waves on the East Coast and became part of the landscape.
—
Mike Albo,
Curbed,
23 June 2026
Hundreds — maybe thousands — of kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing, flag-waving, fun-loving Scotland fans descended on South Beach after a day of salsa dancing on Calle Ocho and cheering on the Marlins at loanDepot Park.
—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
After drinking Boston bars out of all their booze — a feat previously believed to be impossible — the Tartan Army has now descended upon MIA.
—
Amber Harding Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Many of the fans who have descended on the city are from South American countries, like Argentina and Ecuador.
—
Dylan Lysen
june 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
More than a dozen others lay wounded as the downtown block descended into chaos.
—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 2026
Wilde’s 2022 psychological thriller, headlined by Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, descended into tabloid chaos amid rampant speculation over an apparent feud between Pugh and Wilde, plus the romance between Wilde and Styles that allegedly originated during production.
—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
24 June 2026
There is some truth to this because for one summer, in 1985, that was its name — a film crew descended on the venue, shooting a scene where a group of older boys played pool.
—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The Montauk surfing scene took off in the 1960s, when pros and amateurs descended on the area for what are said to be the best waves on the East Coast and became part of the landscape.
—
Mike Albo,
Curbed,
23 June 2026
Hundreds — maybe thousands — of kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing, flag-waving, fun-loving Scotland fans descended on South Beach after a day of salsa dancing on Calle Ocho and cheering on the Marlins at loanDepot Park.
—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
After drinking Boston bars out of all their booze — a feat previously believed to be impossible — the Tartan Army has now descended upon MIA.
—
Amber Harding Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Many of the fans who have descended on the city are from South American countries, like Argentina and Ecuador.
—
Dylan Lysen
june 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
More than a dozen others lay wounded as the downtown block descended into chaos.
—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descended
Verb
-
The most dangerous situation appeared to be on Barrington Avenue, west of East Dundee Village Hall, where a light, a utility pole and part of a parkway tree were felled by strong winds, leaving power lines dangling across the road.
-
John Adams famously wrote to his wife, Abigail, that smallpox was killing 10 soldiers for every one felled in battle.
Verb
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Air support also was grounded the previous afternoon as conditions deteriorated.
-
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.
Verb
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The importance of that relationship became clear in 2025, when live cattle imports plunged by more than 50%.
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Oil stockpiles at the critical oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, have plunged to the bare minimum of what is needed to operate.
Verb
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Ukrainian drones monitor these areas for resupply movement by small trucks, ground robots, or dismounted troops.
-
Stopping, the man dismounted and shot that big bear square in the chest.
Verb
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The Continental Army went into the battle with a two-to-one advantage in numbers, but when most of the American militia crumbled in the face of a British bayonet charge, Pumphrey's unit was outnumbered, Wise says.
-
The fronts of two rowhomes crumbled to the ground Monday night as severe weather hit the Delaware Valley.
Verb
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The numbers behind the downturn Wine consumption has dipped to historic lows.
-
For stargazers who have dipped their toes into the world of binoculars and telescopes, prices stack up quickly and even one purchase can wipe out thousands of dollars.
Verb
-
Some 25 Americans were on the ship, including about seven who disembarked in April and 18 who remained on board.
-
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).
Verb
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Rising global energy prices have worsened the situation.
-
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insecurity has worsened as the militants have started operating in the southern region.
Cite this Entry
“Descended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descended. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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