1
as in dips
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 deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
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3
as in demises
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
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4
as in incursions
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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5
as in attacks
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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6
as in ancestries
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
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7
as in downhills
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
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Cite this Entry
“Descents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descents. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.
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