1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
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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
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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
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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
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as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against
the shock troops descended on the village without warning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descend
Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
Jagger braced himself, assuming that some of the fans might descend on him.
—Reya Hart, The Atlantic, 15 June 2025
Thousands of President Trump’s supporters descended on the nation’s capital Saturday for a parade marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, a rare spectacle of military hardware and uniformed soldiers filing down American streets.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
In November 1990, more than 3,000 women descended on the sleepy beach town of San Bernardo del Tuyú, Argentina, for what was becoming a legendary event.
—Marta Martínez, NPR, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Verb
Monday marked the 10-year anniversary of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump descending the Trump Tower’s golden escalator in New York City.
—Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
Jagger braced himself, assuming that some of the fans might descend on him.
—Reya Hart, The Atlantic, 15 June 2025
Thousands of President Trump’s supporters descended on the nation’s capital Saturday for a parade marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, a rare spectacle of military hardware and uniformed soldiers filing down American streets.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
In November 1990, more than 3,000 women descended on the sleepy beach town of San Bernardo del Tuyú, Argentina, for what was becoming a legendary event.
—Marta Martínez, NPR, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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