DESCENDS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

descends

verb

Definition of descends next

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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Relevance

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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 Rue descends into crime, working with Nazis, the feds, and a Black cowboy in a drug plot that stems from her adolescent foibles with monotone drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly). —

Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026 With trust eroding, dangerous new allies entering the fold, and the FBI escalating its pressure, the compound descends further into chaos — all building toward a shocking and unforgettable confrontation. —

Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 May 2026 The greatest loss, as microdemographics turn away from and against one another and a grim pall descends over public life, might be that of late night as a venue to forget our differences (or at least laugh about them) long enough to have fun together, like a functional society. —

Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026 Both houses will transport guests into the Club Juke locale seen in the blockbuster film, and picks up as a vampire trio led by Remmick (Jack O'Connell) descends on attendees. —

Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026 As the film descends into a slow-motion, mundane work of political horror, Law remains compelling. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 Coppola’s Vietnam epic alongside Schlöndorff’s surreal story about a child who refuses to grow up as Europe descends into madness. —

Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 In the film, biotechnology professor Se-jeong, played by Jun, attends an industry conference that descends into chaos after a rapidly mutating virus is released. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 May 2026 Cooper Neill / Getty Images May is the final month before the excitement of the 2026 World Cup descends upon the sports world. —

John Riker, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends

Verb

And as if managing the spotlight and headlines weren’t enough, Austin trips and falls right in front of Diego Cruz, his attractive, flirty rival.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 30 May 2026
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026