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
However, Jessica Delgado, a student at Wayne State University who is of Cuban descent, pulled up to the rally in her vehicle to point out that the seizure is being celebrated among Venezuelans, including her friends.
—
Dana Afana, Freep.com, 4 Jan. 2026
From authoritarian drift to full dictatorship Between 2016 and 2018 Venezuela plunged into its steepest descent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, in New York, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor just after midnight Thursday, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian descent.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
In addition to being the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Dana Afana, Freep.com, 4 Jan. 2026
From authoritarian drift to full dictatorship Between 2016 and 2018 Venezuela plunged into its steepest descent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, in New York, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor just after midnight Thursday, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian descent.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
In addition to being the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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Mix a combination of two teaspoons of cream of tartar and a few drops of lemon juice to form a paste.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Reformation Lluvia Dress As Reformation gears up for its 2026 collection drops, the store is marking down some of last year’s best-selling sweaters, dresses, shoes, and pants.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With the deterioration and rise of crime in South Beach in the late 1970s, as well as inflation and the shrinking tourist business, the Famous was forced to close in 1981.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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While analysts do not expect the rift to escalate into direct conflict, even a limited deterioration could carry far-reaching consequences.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That selectivity creates a stable interface and avoids many of the degradation pathways that plague liquid-electrolyte cells.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
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Scarce arable land and soil degradation further constrain food production.—
Mark Banchereau,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Mosley challenged his team to take care of the basketball and play with better energy and effort from the jump — two key factors that led to Orlando‘s demise at Washington.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
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Injuries played a big role in the team’s demise, especially on the offensive line.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The plaintiff seeks damages for privacy invasion, emotional distress, reputational harm and alleged placement on government watch lists.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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He is being held on a $2 million bond for a murder charge and must pay $200,000, as well as a $5,000 bond for an assault charge, to be released.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The results reveal structural parallels across many organisms without any shared ancestry.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
5 Jan. 2026
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With ancestry dating back to the 1500s, the hunting breed used to hunt a variety of different game in France.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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For skiing and snowboarding, Terry Peak, the Midwest's highest downhill ski area, is about 20 miles south of Spearfish and offers multiple runs and lifts.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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The resort will host the best men’s and women’s downhill racers, including Lindsey Vonn, for their final events before the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.—
Jamey Keaten,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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