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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demises
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in ancestries
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in downhills
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descents
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
When other resorts are battling bumps or bare spots, Baldy’s corduroy often remains impeccable, rewarding skiers and snowboarders who love speed, precision, and long, uninterrupted descents.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors deliver precise, fade-free braking even on fast descents and steep terrain.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Teams of male and female competitors will race on longer courses than the sprints, with two ascents and two descents.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The race is on a longer course than the sprints, with two ascents and two descents.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
On the one hand, winter brings fresh powder, steep descents, and the chance to traverse beautiful glades.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Jan. 2026
Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
When other resorts are battling bumps or bare spots, Baldy’s corduroy often remains impeccable, rewarding skiers and snowboarders who love speed, precision, and long, uninterrupted descents.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors deliver precise, fade-free braking even on fast descents and steep terrain.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Teams of male and female competitors will race on longer courses than the sprints, with two ascents and two descents.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The race is on a longer course than the sprints, with two ascents and two descents.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
On the one hand, winter brings fresh powder, steep descents, and the chance to traverse beautiful glades.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descents
Noun
-
This versatile dairy staple can bulk up a breakfast smoothie, anchor a marinade for lamb and other meats, form the base of classic dips like tzatziki, and transform ice pops into high-protein, healthy desserts—adding tang, tenderness, and creaminess along the way.—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Growth time can shift due to sunlight, temperature dips, or humidity imbalance, so conditions play a big role.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No reason was provided for the shops’ demises.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Nov. 2025
-
The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Romania alone experienced multiple drone incursions and debris discoveries over several months, often triggering fighter scrambles.—
Frederic Lemieux,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But many Chicanos trace their lineage to indigenous peoples who survived Spanish colonization, often carrying mixed indigenous, Spanish, and other ancestries, a testament to survival and cultural fusion.—
David Alvarado,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
-
This lack of representation is problematic for people of different ancestries because genetic risk factors differ across populations.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The prospect of Shiffrin pairing with Lindsey Vonn, who’s excelled in the downhills this season, to fight for USA gold surely has NBC execs salivating.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
-
It's claimed to still handle short downhills well and provide a good glide on flat surfaces.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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The brand will operate seasonlessly through drops, with collaborations and ambassador partnerships in development.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
For Parisian Jews in 1941 and 1942, these thefts were compounded by a cascade of other degradations, including the loss of distinguished positions at the Sorbonne, in banking, science, and medicine, with more devastation to come.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descents. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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