1
as in falls
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorates
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Funiculars use a counterweight pulley system so that when one car of a funicular descends, the other car can ascend.
—
Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Then the Marswalker does its job and climbs or descends a staircase.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
The political drama, which just had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, is an adaptation of the 2022 novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli, about a young Russian artist named Vadim Baranov who descends into being the éminence grise to President Vladimir Putin.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The evening descends slowly into chaos, and the girls’ lives are transformed after the unexpected arrival of a modern-day genie who promises to grant their deepest, darkest wishes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Chain of Craters Road begins close to the Devastation Trailhead and descends 3,700 feet from the summit of Kīlauea to sea level.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2025
The whole of clan MacKenzie descends upon Castle Leoch to pay their respects and also attend the Gathering, in which there are games and feasts and boar hunts and, most important, the oath-taking, in which the new laird will be chosen and everyone will pledge their fealty to him.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
When the baseball world descends upon Wrigleyville for the 2027 event, Cubs faithful believe the area can handle the rush.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Then the Marswalker does its job and climbs or descends a staircase.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
The political drama, which just had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, is an adaptation of the 2022 novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli, about a young Russian artist named Vadim Baranov who descends into being the éminence grise to President Vladimir Putin.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The evening descends slowly into chaos, and the girls’ lives are transformed after the unexpected arrival of a modern-day genie who promises to grant their deepest, darkest wishes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Chain of Craters Road begins close to the Devastation Trailhead and descends 3,700 feet from the summit of Kīlauea to sea level.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2025
The whole of clan MacKenzie descends upon Castle Leoch to pay their respects and also attend the Gathering, in which there are games and feasts and boar hunts and, most important, the oath-taking, in which the new laird will be chosen and everyone will pledge their fealty to him.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
When the baseball world descends upon Wrigleyville for the 2027 event, Cubs faithful believe the area can handle the rush.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends
Verb
-
Oregon rises after beating Oklahoma State by 66, while Clemson falls after trailing Troy at halftime before a 27-16 win.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Raising systemic issues and then resolving them with humor falls flat for this critic.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
When trust between boards and CEOs deteriorates, cracks spread quickly.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond—where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
-
That adventure takes them away from NCIS headquarters to Europe, where the series plunges Tony and Ziva into a world of international intrigue and espionage, delivering both closure and a fresh start for the franchise's iconic characters.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The film reportedly follows Streep’s Miranda as the magazine industry crumbles around her.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
-
However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles into the Atlantic below—its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This means that damaging workplace behaviors reduce productivity directly as well as create emotional exhaustion that worsens the decline.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The company travels to Rome, where Blackshirts march in the piazzas, but Duse’s health worsens.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And when the sun dips, 12th Knot takes over—a Gatsby-esque rooftop lounge pulsing with DJ sets, seasonal cocktails, and panoramic views that sweep from St Paul’s to Canary Wharf.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
When your blood sugar dips too low, the right food or drink containing fast-acting carbohydrates can bring it back up within minutes.—
Brittany Poulson,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Then the real value of dollars, meaning their purchasing power, declines.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descends. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share