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 attack
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
In another transmission, a controller told an arriving private jet that the airport just had a brief radar outage and to stay at or above 3,000 feet in case the controllers couldn't get in touch during the aircraft's descent.
—
Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 9 May 2025
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his life’s work of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Or rather, the slow, clinging descent down the dinghy’s slippery three-step ladder into what might as well have been a black hole, the water was so opaque.
—Billie Cohen, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
It’s been a stunning descent for Combs, who became a billionaire after building a business empire that encompassed a record label and media properties, a clothing line, restaurants and liquor brands.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 9 May 2025
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his life’s work of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Or rather, the slow, clinging descent down the dinghy’s slippery three-step ladder into what might as well have been a black hole, the water was so opaque.
—Billie Cohen, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
It’s been a stunning descent for Combs, who became a billionaire after building a business empire that encompassed a record label and media properties, a clothing line, restaurants and liquor brands.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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Related Articles Overall sales were down 11 percent to $1.2 billion — which beat analyst expectations of a 12.4 percent drop.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
13 May 2025
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The latest drop channels that same buzzworthy energy, but this time with a tropical twist.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2025
Noun
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From the start, the idea was to revitalize Eagle Crest Plaza, which became blighted due to years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations.—
Jordan King
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.—
Jenny Hall,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
Noun
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For all the obituaries written about ESG in the past year, reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.—
Daniel Sutter,
National Review,
16 May 2025
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This is not the time to issue a prediction of demise, not particularly close to it.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Russia, however, delays, sets preconditions, plays for time, and continues its war of invasion.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
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The Battle of Britain in 1940 was another pivotal moment for the use of air power with the smaller British force of 675 planes countering a German force numbered up to 2,800 and in the process helping to prevent a Nazi invasion of Britain.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier, was captured while on duty during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Krishnamoorthi would be the 10th Asian American in the Senate and only the second senator with South Asian ancestry.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
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Then — boom — Saturn enters Aries on May 24th, activating your sector of home, ancestry, and emotional foundation for the first time since 1999.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This extreme downhill snowboarding game sees Mario and Luigi on snowboards, while Peach opts for skis.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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Except for March 22 when high winds caused the cancellation of the men’s and women’s downhill races, the 5850 Fest went off without a hitch.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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