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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deterioration

a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body the family patriarch's heartbreaking descent into infirmity and senility

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in degradation

a change to a lower state or level the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in demise

a loss of status for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in invasion

a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in assault

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ancestry

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in downhill

a downward slope on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Being the first woman of Middle Eastern descent to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the supporting actress category is still something Sepideh Moafi is wrapping her head around. — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 Voices of Culture – Selection by invitation or internal curation only – A non-competitive showcase of short-form work by filmmakers of African descent whose films expand and enrich contemporary conversations around culture, identity, and community. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 The company intends to recover future Starships directly at the launch site, using mechanical arms on the launch tower to catch the vehicle during final descent. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 The usual fate for one of those expendable stages after hitting the ocean is a rapid breakup and descent to a watery grave. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for descent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent

Noun

Just across the street from the bus stop … lurks a deep drainage pool at the bottom of a sheer 12-foot drop from the street.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Colleges have add/drop periods and deadlines for students to enroll in courses for the semester.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

These tests helped rule out more ordinary explanations such as mechanical strain, material deterioration, uneven samples, and electromagnetic screening by the metal.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Generally, the deterioration in government fiscal health is a global issue.

— Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

The thickness penalty The simulations revealed that anodes with nearly identical overall charge capacities can still suffer vastly different internal degradation, depending on how binder materials and pore spaces are arranged.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
This is intended to minimize degradation, reducing contrast decay and improving light projection reliability, ultimately extending the screen's lifespan.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of degradation

Noun

Tubes from hospital equipment were still attached to his face, gunshot wounds on his right side were still gaping, and tattoos which included a gun and a bullet casing were still embedded in his skin, a permanent memorial to the tools of his demise.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
But just one injury — or significant drop in play, for that matter – could bring about Miami’s early demise.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of demise

Noun

The Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine -- European leaders joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday for official celebrations marking Ukraine’s Independence Day as Russia pushes on with its 4-year-old invasion of the country.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
The message sent was especially pointed as Monday also marks 4 1/2 years since President Vladimir Putin launched his large-scale invasion of Russia’s much smaller neighbor.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of invasion

Noun

The judge dismissed a misdemeanor charge of simple assault against Kissinger, saying that there had been no bodily injury.

— Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
In Hangzhou, the latest assault claims have seen multiple companies initiate internal accountability measures, according to political news outlet Guancha, while the official investigation is ongoing.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Many have a searching, mystical quality, informed by her mixed African American, Irish, and Choctaw ancestry and her trips to Africa and Haiti.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026
Though Hoon Lee, who previously starred on Broadway and in the Cinemax show Banshee, immediately stood out, Kazan was hesitant to cast him because of his Korean ancestry.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026