DESCENDS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

descends

verb

present tense third-person singular of descend

as in falls

to lead or extend downward the pathway descends to the river bank

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as in deteriorates

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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as in plunges

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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as in dismounts

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of descends Over time, as players bluff, bargain, and make increasingly dubious trades, trust starts to erode, more and more adverse selection happens — and the game descends into a kind of joyful chaos. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Stuttering lines, on the left, jerking up and down, denote the rattle of guns; on the right, the lines are all but flat, as silence descends. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 As Pakistan descends into crisis, Zakir recognizes disturbing similarities between 1947 and 1971—crowds assembling, slogans spreading, cities burning, and familiar places becoming strange. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 Yet, as the WNBA descends upon Chicago for All-Star weekend, Engelbert is reaching an inflection point in her tenure. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026 The complaints about regulations are one of the many cases where SNGA descends into political and cultural grievance. — ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026 This year witnesses a resurgence of sorts, as a fleet of both new and historic Js descends on the Mediterranean. — Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 18 July 2026 Cities from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic are warning people to stay safe and handing out masks as the dangerous smoke descends. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends

Verb

Methane evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain, and collects in lakes and seas.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
Then, after darkness falls, the annual Perseid meteor shower will peak beneath perfectly moonless skies.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Iraola’s dismissal came as a surprise to a number of his players, although Catala, who later managed Larnaca, explains that there is a volatility to decision-making in Cyprus if form deteriorates.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
The key is to compare those options before your financial situation deteriorates further.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorates

Verb

Dreams may be a universal and rich experience that plunges us into the unconscious to evoke some truth.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Definition of plunges

Verb

Former President Bill Clinton disembarks a jet at Islamabad International Airport in March 2000.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
In the photos, obtained by Page Six, the Kansas City footballer disembarks from a private jet, followed closely by a large, fluffy white dog that appears to be a Samoyed.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Definition of disembarks

Verb

Those with lupus need to avoid the sun, while some with psoriasis get relief from it; storms can trigger migraines and joint pain; hot weather worsens postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

— Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026
When the outlook for a company’s fundamentals worsens, investors often respond by trading the stock down.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026