DESCENDS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

descends

verb

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 Finally comes the terminal phase, when the warhead re-enters the atmosphere and descends toward its target. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 When World Cup season descends upon soccer-mad Brazil, green and yellow banners decorate restaurants, bars and apartment buildings, streets are painted with flags and soccer balls, and discussions of the beloved national team's games are ubiquitous. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 First-timers should head straight to Mather Point for the initial lookout, then walk a portion of the Bright Angel Trail, which descends into the canyon. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 The Inglourious Basterds star's latest movie Ice Cream Man follows a suburb that descends into chaos when a mysterious ice cream man's treats turn children into homicidal killers. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 This is the leader who descends into the weeds, confirming every detail, not because the situation demands it but because something inside needs reassurance. — Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The virtual oar-yanking celebration in a baseball atmosphere was one of those weird juxtapositions that seem to get fostered whenever a World Cup fanbase descends upon a host city. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026 When a bartender goes missing, Ohm descends into both his own history and that of this Overlook Hotel–esque setting in a film that verifies the suspicion that McCarthy is one of the best genre directors currently working. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Whether humanity makes a quick shift to a new order or descends into chaos, pain, and widespread suffering will depend upon our ability to forge a vision for the future that captures the public’s attention and commitment. — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends

Verb

The investigators ask whether this discovery falls within the scope of her project.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Your body temperature typically rises throughout the morning and afternoon, peaks in the evening, and then falls late at night.

— The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
In six parts, The American Revolution, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, plunges us into the momentous war that led to the nation’s founding.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 June 2026

Definition of plunges

Verb

The glowing ribbon of the Milky Way tumbles directly through this cosmic triangle before arcing towards the southern horizon, though its diffuse light will be hidden behind a veil of moonlight on the night of the full moon.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
Then the wisdom tumbles like Milk Duds fresh from the concessionaire.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of tumbles

Verb

Once the finish is damaged, stains cling more easily, leading people to scrub even harder, which worsens the problem.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
From Montesquieu’s perspective, polarization worsens this appetite for disregarding constitutional norms.

— Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026