Synonyms of descend

descend 1 of 2

verb (1)

di-ˈsend 

1

as in to fall

to lead or extend downward

the pathway descends to the river bank

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fall
• plunge
• slope
• sink
• drop
• dip
• lean
• decline
• tilt
• incline
• heel
• angle
• tip
• cant
• list
• recline
• slant
• cock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• ascend
• climb
• arise
• mount
• plane
• straighten
• flatten
• upturn
• uprise
• even
• smooth
• level
• upsweep

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

• deteriorate
• crumble
• worsen
• decline
• devolve
• diminish
• degenerate
• sink
• run to seed
• regress
• decay
• ebb
• rot
• retrograde
• atrophy
• weaken
• disintegrate
• recede
• fall
• go to seed
• decompose
• go to pot
• sag
• dwindle
• degrade
• wane
• reduce
• downsize
• abate
• slip
• putrefy
• undermine
• corrupt
• languish
• spoil
• dilapidate
• sour
• debilitate
• fail
• lessen
• lower
• droop
• wilt
• waste (away)
• break down
• de-escalate
• molder
• run down
• flag
• lag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• proceed
• upgrade
• intensify
• enhance
• strengthen
• develop
• meliorate
• enrich
• heighten
• fortify
• march
• advance
• progress

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

• fall
• plunge
• dip
• tumble
• decline
• drop
• plummet
• sink
• dive
• skid
• decrease
• crash
• lower
• subside
• nose-dive
• die (down)
• diminish
• crater
• retreat
• moderate
• recede
• dwindle
• abate
• droop
• wane
• taper off
• ebb
• lessen
• let up
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ascend
• rise
• arise
• lift
• soar
• mount
• spike
• up
• build
• increase
• grow
• accumulate
• expand
• intensify
• escalate
• swell
• enlarge
• pick up
• snowball
• wax
• mushroom
• balloon
• burgeon
• bourgeon

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismount
• disembark
• alight
• light
• get down
• detrain
• deplane

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• embark
• get in
• mount
• climb (aboard)
• board
• entrain
• emplane
• enplane

descend (on or upon)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against

the shock troops descended on the village without warning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assault
• attack
• raid
• turn (on)
• set at
• set on
• storm
• set upon
• strike
• jump (on)
• fly at
• pounce (on or upon)
• sick
• go in (on)
• rob
• round on
• charge
• beat up on
• ambush
• tear into
• invade
• pitch into
• rush
• sic
• beset
• assail
• swarm
• bushwhack
• trash
• light into
• gang up (on)
• go at
• surprise
• mob
• sack
• flank
• surprize
• bomb
• waylay
• plunder
• nuke
• besiege
• bang away (at)
• barrage
• mug
• blitz
• loot
• bombard
• buffet
• cannon
• batter
• ravage
• plaster
• harry
• bum-rush
• ambuscade
• pillage
• overrun
• foray
• cannonade
• envelop
• press
• beleaguer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• secure
• cover
• defend
• guard
• shield

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of descend

Verb

The first hint of sunshine in the spring, and everyone descends down to the banks of the Seine, posting up with bottles of wine and picnic fare. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025

What begins as an ordinary parental milestone descends into a nightmare as a cross-border search unfolds. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Video shared on social media shows one soldier donning an Arizona Wildcat flag descending rapidly before rolling over upon impact. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

The thunder goddess descended, promising protection, rebirth. —Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing descend

• descend (on or upon)