DESCENT Synonyms: 262 Similar and Opposite Words

descent

noun

di-ˈsent

Definition of descent

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

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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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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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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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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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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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as in ancestry

the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a person of Finnish descent

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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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of descent The plane may have crashed into the sea southwest of Karachi after a series of sharp altitude changes before a steep final descent, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. — Reuters, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 While the movie belongs to Laga’aia (whose father is of Samoan descent) and Johnson, there are invaluable contributions from Tui and Adams as Moana’s proud parents. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 The triumph of their pioneering climb, however, was overshadowed by the pair’s disastrous descent. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 7 July 2026 DaCosta reteams with Sean Bobbitt, who shot both Hedda and The Marvels, for a pitch-black descent into hell that holds up, despite its January release, as one of the very best horror films of the year. — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for descent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent

Noun

Changes over the seven days ranged from a drop of 5% to an increase of 2%.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Another investigator testified that the distance from the apparent sniper's perch to the tent where Kirk was speaking was about 410 feet, with a 68-foot vertical drop.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

Meanwhile, the solid electrolyte framework held perfectly fine, showing no signs of degradation.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Length of camping time is limited in order to protect natural resources from degradation and ensure fair access to all visitors, according to the USDA.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of degradation

Noun

But under the new law, the logging and human development that led to their near demise is now allowed.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Ellie, of course, meets her demise by the conclusion of Evil Dead Rise, which sets up the post-credit scene in Evil Dead Burn.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of demise

Noun

In 1940, Goudstikker fled the Netherlands during the country’s invasion by Nazi Germany, leaving behind his collection of some 1,400 paintings, mostly Old Master works.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
The overhaul, which Zelensky has yet to explain in detail, would be the fourth major reorganization of his government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of invasion

Noun

Some potential charges include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft and assault.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Depending on the circumstances, charges could include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft, assault, reckless driving, unlawful assembly, conspiracy and other offenses, police said.

— Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

The Viking Row, an homage to Norway’s Viking ancestry, mirrors the energy of soldiers arriving to shore, ready for battle.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Broward county has more than 128k residents of Haitian ancestry, and WLRN reported that more than 100k Haitian TPS holders live in South Florida.

— Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of ancestry

Noun

Pogacar reached the summit first, and Vingegaard tried to claw back his 30-second deficit in the downhill.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Atlanta could use a downhill, athletic guard next to CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker who can get half-court paint touches.

— Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2026