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
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Recent Examples of descends
The psychological horror film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor is about a furniture store owner who descends into his own heart of darkness in his shop.
—
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
But their friendship comes to a sudden end in episode 5 when law enforcement descends on the farm.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Plus, as the plane descends, the force of going down actually recharges the battery.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Once seated, Ferrell can be seen beginning to eat as the ride climbs and descends its first hill.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
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
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
But their friendship comes to a sudden end in episode 5 when law enforcement descends on the farm.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Plus, as the plane descends, the force of going down actually recharges the battery.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Once seated, Ferrell can be seen beginning to eat as the ride climbs and descends its first hill.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends
Verb
-
No two film or TV shoots are alike, as each director and team of department heads have to find their own unique rhythm that falls somewhere on a spectrum between meticulous storyboarding and completely improvising on set.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 June 2026
-
For elderly patients, prolonged stays in hallways increase the risks of delirium, falls, sleep deprivation, loss of dignity, and prolonged recovery.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Meetings grow tense, and communication deteriorates.—
Niurys Robaina,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
There’s less maintenance and less investment in them, so the individual property deteriorates.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The jump plunges 364ft towards the Zambezi River below.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
The main channel seen in the images measures about 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide and plunges roughly 1,640 feet (500 meters) deep.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
That is the moment that everything crumbles for Rachel.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
-
Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The film, which is set to bow in Un Certain Regard on May 21, tumbles through tones, swerving through pitch-black humor, empathy, fury and larger-than-life moments.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
-
The flagellar bundle falls apart, and the cell tumbles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His wife disembarks, as do more than two dozen other passengers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
-
When border agents board during a stop (each with wanted posters of Philip and Elizabeth), Paige disembarks.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the economic and social situation worsens, Cubans have organized daily protests in various parts of the island.—
Sarah Moreno
June 5,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
Castro rises to power after brother’s health worsens In 2006, Fidel Castro’s health began to decline, and Raúl Castro was temporarily handed power in late July of that year until Cuba’s National Assembly elected him as president in February 2008.—
Dánica Coto,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The loser list was topped by Maryland (off 49,100), District of Columbia (off 42,600) and Virginia (off 33,100) – dips tied to Trump’s trimming of federal workers – then Florida (off 30,600) and Oregon (off 20,100).—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
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Brith watches it for a moment, then unhooks a shallow wooden cup from her belt and dips it through the surface, watching as a matching cup rises up out of the water to meet it.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descends. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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