Synonyms of descends

descends

verb

present tense third-person singular of descend

1

as in falls

to lead or extend downward

the pathway descends to the river bank

Synonyms & Similar Words

• falls
• plunges
• slopes
• sinks
• drops
• leans
• tilts
• dips
• declines
• inclines
• heels
• tips
• angles
• lists
• reclines
• slants
• cants
• cocks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ascends
• rises
• arises
• climbs
• mounts
• flattens
• levels
• straightens
• planes
• upturns
• uprises
• upsweeps
• smooths
• evens

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

• deteriorates
• crumbles
• worsens
• declines
• devolves
• diminishes
• degenerates
• sinks
• regresses
• rots
• decays
• ebbs
• atrophies
• falls
• weakens
• retrogrades
• disintegrates
• goes to pot
• recedes
• goes to seed
• decomposes
• sags
• wanes
• dwindles
• degrades
• reduces
• slips
• downsizes
• abates
• sours
• putrefies
• corrupts
• undermines
• languishes
• droops
• lessens
• fails
• debilitates
• lowers
• spoils
• de-escalates
• dilapidates
• breaks down
• lags
• runs down
• wilts
• molders
• wastes (away)
• flags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improves
• ameliorates
• intensifies
• enhances
• heightens
• progresses
• develops
• enriches
• strengthens
• meliorates
• proceeds
• upgrades
• fortifies
• advances
• marches
• betters

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

• plunges
• falls
• tumbles
• dips
• declines
• plummets
• drops
• sinks
• decreases
• lowers
• skids
• crashes
• dives
• nose-dives
• subsides
• diminishes
• droops
• wanes
• retreats
• dies (down)
• dwindles
• abates
• recedes
• ebbs
• craters
• lessens
• moderates
• tapers off
• lets up
• de-escalates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rises
• arises
• ascends
• lifts
• soars
• ups
• mounts
• grows
• spikes
• increases
• builds
• expands
• accumulates
• intensifies
• swells
• enlarges
• mushrooms
• picks up
• waxes
• escalates
• burgeons
• snowballs
• balloons

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

• dismounts
• disembarks
• alights
• lights
• gets down
• deplanes
• detrains

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• embarks
• boards
• gets in
• mounts
• climbs (aboard)
• entrains
• enplanes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of descends

Color begins near 10,000 feet in September, and then descends roughly 500 to 1,000 feet per week. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2026

Like the real-life star of such films as Black Swan, M is a former child actor whose film roles include a ballerina who descends into madness. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026

Mayday goes on too long and veers into nonsensical directions, with one episode depicting the pair breaking into a Soviet official’s home that descends into bedroom farce. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

It’s designed to be a celebratory moment before mayhem descends. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

The opening holes may not immediately reveal what awaits, but that changes quickly as the course turns back on itself and descends into a stunning, secluded valley that eventually opens toward the coastline. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

As the plane descends, a lush landscape of verdant mountains that flow down into charming villages, beaches, and the crystal-clear waters beyond appears. — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Opening night 2027-28 Winnipeg can compete for the playoffs in 2027-28 if Björck ascends before Scheifele descends. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

In the book, a film crew descends on Kettle Springs intending to make a glossy film version of a real-life tragedy, the slasher rampage from the first book. — Adam Cesare, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026