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 route includes some short ascents and descents and takes place on a variety of paths, including pavement, loose gravel, and forest trails.
—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
During certain portions of the race, competitors are forced to scramble on all fours while navigating steep inclines and narrow descents.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents.
—
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
During certain portions of the race, competitors are forced to scramble on all fours while navigating steep inclines and narrow descents.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents.
—
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descents
Noun
-
The sidewalk in front of my house had some lips and dips that could’ve compelled me to rent heavy equipment and get to work.
-
Layered dips are an easy way to impress your guests, and this bright taco dip is a great option.
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.
Noun
-
SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company Musk founded in 2002, has endured a few more fiery demises of the mammoth Starship rocket since that explosive debut.
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No reason was provided for the shops’ demises.
Noun
-
Past Israel-Hezbollah ceasefires in Lebanon have often failed, and, in the run-up to the MOU, Israeli forces made their deepest incursions into Lebanon in the past quarter century.
-
Settlers have also made incursions into the Palestinian city.
Noun
-
The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
-
Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
-
Eastern and western ancestries in Karelian Mesolithic dogs suggest that two lineages diverged during the Paleolithic.
-
That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports.
Noun
-
The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend.
-
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.
Noun
-
Helitack crews – like the one from Rifle County – often parachute into remote areas and help coordinate water drops to extinguish the flames.
-
That came on May 7 before a staggered series of price drops tempered by price-hike rebounds over the last seven weeks amid on-again and off-again peace talks in the Middle East.
Cite this Entry
“Descents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descents. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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