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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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of descent
His father is of Japanese descent and works in security.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The timeline for Ivey’s descent into extreme evangelism is fairly easy to track.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Will studios abandon new work for memeslop or nobly resist a descent into IP-management nothingness?
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The system’s ability to operate across different mission modes—from orbiters to descent probes and aerial platforms—further enhances its versatility and scientific value.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The timeline for Ivey’s descent into extreme evangelism is fairly easy to track.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Will studios abandon new work for memeslop or nobly resist a descent into IP-management nothingness?
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The system’s ability to operate across different mission modes—from orbiters to descent probes and aerial platforms—further enhances its versatility and scientific value.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning every 10 dB drop roughly halves perceived loudness – so the gap between the P-12 Business and a conventional ferry isn't a marginal improvement.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 09,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The first three months of the year saw disparate trends in violence within the Chicago Police Department’s five patrol areas, records show, with a mixed bag of increases and further drops.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors said the owners were given multiple warnings about the roof's deterioration and were even urged to cancel the concert that was going on at the time of the collapse.—
Jennifer Bisram,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, physical deterioration has become a concern over time.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Its habitat is being affected by climate change and fires started by farmers clearing land, which are contributing to ecosystem degradation in the region.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Its habitat is being affected by climate change and fires started by farmers clearing land, both of which are contributing to ecosystem degradation in the region.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both Kardashian and Odom open up in the episode about the demise of their relationship while the reality star was attempting to help Odom recover.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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When science said dinosaurs were pea-brained and cold-blooded, humans took their demise as proof of the superiority of warm, clever mammals.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Orbán frequently used his veto power to stymie efforts to support Kyiv and sanction Moscow.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
After Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the relentless impact of the climate crisis, this is just the latest turbulence to batter the machinery of global trade.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Malek Daniels, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and second-degree assault, according to a Jackson County plea and sentencing document.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Perez, 57 at the time of his 2020 arrest, was days away from release from Kern Valley State Prison where he had been held on a conviction of assault with intent to commit rape.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In January, a DNA profile was successfully developed and uploaded to a direct-to-consumer ancestry database while a genealogist assigned to the Riverside Cold Case Homicide Team was able to positively identify a potential match to a close relative in Alabama.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Leo’s ancestry includes four generations of Cubans on his mother’s side.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Posting 21 points by halftime, Banchero was quick to find his spots with turnaround jumpers and aggressive downhill attacks that led to multiple trips to the free throw line.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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