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
In September and October, the core of the Milky Way is visible as soon as twilight descends.
—
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Each fisher who descends on Bristol Bay for the season can’t afford to take their eye off of the prize.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In Hamlet, the 2025 reimagining of Shakespare’s play about a Danish prince who, seeking to avenge his father’s death, slowly descends into madness, filmmaker Aneil Karia transports the infamous story to the streets of London and the city’s vibrant South Asian community.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 11 Sep. 2025
The dog descends a few stairs and continues barking loudly as the perpetrator tosses the dynamite into the courtyard.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Funiculars use a counterweight pulley system so that when one car of a funicular descends, the other car can ascend.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Then the Marswalker does its job and climbs or descends a staircase.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
The political drama, which just had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, is an adaptation of the 2022 novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli, about a young Russian artist named Vadim Baranov who descends into being the éminence grise to President Vladimir Putin.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The evening descends slowly into chaos, and the girls’ lives are transformed after the unexpected arrival of a modern-day genie who promises to grant their deepest, darkest wishes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Each fisher who descends on Bristol Bay for the season can’t afford to take their eye off of the prize.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In Hamlet, the 2025 reimagining of Shakespare’s play about a Danish prince who, seeking to avenge his father’s death, slowly descends into madness, filmmaker Aneil Karia transports the infamous story to the streets of London and the city’s vibrant South Asian community.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 11 Sep. 2025
The dog descends a few stairs and continues barking loudly as the perpetrator tosses the dynamite into the courtyard.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Funiculars use a counterweight pulley system so that when one car of a funicular descends, the other car can ascend.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
Then the Marswalker does its job and climbs or descends a staircase.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
The political drama, which just had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, is an adaptation of the 2022 novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli, about a young Russian artist named Vadim Baranov who descends into being the éminence grise to President Vladimir Putin.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The evening descends slowly into chaos, and the girls’ lives are transformed after the unexpected arrival of a modern-day genie who promises to grant their deepest, darkest wishes.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descends
Verb
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Fall foliage appears when leaves change from green to yellow, orange, and red, then falls from the trees, said Brandon Fuller, a doctoral candidate and lecturer in the biology department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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If the neighbor is smoking weed on private property doesn’t belong to them or their neighbor, Rosenthal said the responsibility to take action falls on the landlord.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Remodels stall, menu updates fall flat, and guest experience deteriorates.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Regardless, that slight is the last thing Prater hears before Dexter plunges a knife into his heart.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond—where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film reportedly follows Streep’s Miranda as the magazine industry crumbles around her.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
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However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles into the Atlantic below—its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Chronic financial stress raises cortisol levels, which, over time, damages the immune system, increases risk for hypertension and heart disease and worsens mental health.—
Dr. Melissa Weathersby,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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About 23% to 83% of people with the disease find that exposure to UV rays worsens their condition.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From PB&Js and dips to smoothies and sauces, almost all of us have experienced the familiar flavor of peanut butter.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
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But Sheeran also dips into world beats, inspired by recording for a month in India.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If the Supreme Court declines review, Hernandez would face retrial unless prosecutors decide not to pursue the case further.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descends. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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