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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 As Delphi’s star rises, P Burke becomes enthralled by her and descends into a tech psychosis with disastrous consequences. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 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 Congress needs to assert its constitutional authority before our country descends even further into chaos and restore the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. —

Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 As the train descends toward Tirano, Italy, palm trees and vineyards begin to replace snow and rock, creating a sense of traveling between seasons in just a few hours. —

Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026 Ultimately the interference can lead to flight disruptions and delays as confusion descends on the nerve center of a plane. —

Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 Sloan allows that the next big test for local sports arrives as the 2026 FIFA World Cup descends upon North American for a 39-day residency. —

Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends

Verb

Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
And that’s why—but that doesn’t make sense because the money falls from the ceiling.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 May 2026