1
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude
the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field
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2
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the family patriarch's heartbreaking descent into infirmity and senility
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3
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
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4
as in demise
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
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5
as in invasion
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town
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6
as in assault
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields
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7
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
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8
as in downhill
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descent
Read All About It Nearly a week after their return to Earth, the four Artemis II astronauts described their fiery descent, reunions with their families and the challenge of fully processing the mission.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The flashbacks reveal Robert’s descent into madness and the personal and professional sacrifices Catherine has made as a result.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Americans in court The Cassazione judges examined three cases of citizenship by descent which had been rejected at initial trial and subsequent appeal.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The team carried out the technical rescue operation using ropes, webbing, carabiners, anchoring bolts and descent devices.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The flashbacks reveal Robert’s descent into madness and the personal and professional sacrifices Catherine has made as a result.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Americans in court The Cassazione judges examined three cases of citizenship by descent which had been rejected at initial trial and subsequent appeal.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The team carried out the technical rescue operation using ropes, webbing, carabiners, anchoring bolts and descent devices.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
-
To make one, fill a small saucepan with water, then add lemon, orange, or grapefruit slices, fresh rosemary or mint sprigs, and a few drops of a pure essential oil of your choice, Martinez explains.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This season, the goal since first puck drop has been the ultimate prize for the Colorado Avalanche -- the Stanley Cup.—
Jack Lowenstein,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, any miscalculation or direct confrontation at sea could tip the diplomatic posturing into rapid deterioration and risk jeopardizing the fragile stability in the detente between Washington and Beijing.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Toss any berries showing signs of deterioration.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The Supreme Court handed a win Friday to oil and gas companies fighting lawsuits over coastal land loss and environmental degradation in Louisiana.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Contrary to the popular belief of many fans, for instance, Jones bears much of the responsibility for the rift with his bandmates and his tragic demise.—
Marc Ballon,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Putin has put considerable effort into reconstituting the navy after its post-Soviet demise, with a raft of new vessels entering service in the past decade.—
Alan Crawford,
Bloomberg,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the mid-890s, Formosus supported King Arnulf, the leader of the Franks, in his invasion of Italy, then crowned Arnulf Roman Emperor—despite there already being a Roman Emperor.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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There are also two arrests on his rap sheet for first-degree home invasion in Michigan.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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He was taken into custody and transported to Norwalk police headquarters, where he was charged with two counts of criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree threatening.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
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They were originally used mostly to evacuate casualties and resupply troops, but increasingly also to conduct combat assault missions.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In this full-length interview, geneticist David Reich explains how new findings have challenged the family tree model of ancestry and revealed a past shaped by migration, interbreeding, disappearance, and constant change.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
21 Apr. 2026
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Drawing on data from 26,000 people on the continent and some 80,000 of African ancestry elsewhere, researchers found new genetic variants driving chronic kidney disease, offering potential targets for future drugs or diagnostic tools.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His excellent size-speed combination, and aggressive downhill style creates disruption and turnover chances.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Downs, 21, a 6-foot, 206-pound game wrecker, is an Alabama transfer who disrupts offenses consistently with a high football IQ and a downhill, violent play style.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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