ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 
variants
or less commonly ascendency
: governing or controlling influence : domination
Did you know?
In the course of a year, the sun appears to pass through the twelve constellations of the zodiac in sequence, and all the planets also lie close to the solar path. The constellation and planet that are just rising, or ascendant, above the eastern horizon in the sun's path at the moment of a child's birth are said by astrologers to exercise a lifelong controlling influence over the child. This is the idea that lies at the heart of ascendancy, though the word today no longer hints at supernatural powers.
Examples of ascendancy in a Sentence
the ascendancy of the government
a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after World War I
Recent Examples on the Web
With rising levels of unemployment among young graduates causing increasing alarm, there are fears that the former scenario is in the ascendancy.
—
Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Mamdani’s ascendancy also comes at an unusual moment for News Corp.’s New York paper, which now occupies a unique place in the American media landscape.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
The young left-wing candidate’s ascendancy spooked rich, politically-active donors.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 29 June 2025
For now, Israel is in the ascendancy: Iran’s nuclear program has been badly damaged, its 46-year-old Islamic regime is weakened and its proxy groups and allies throughout the region have been extensively damaged.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
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.
Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Mamdani’s ascendancy also comes at an unusual moment for News Corp.’s New York paper, which now occupies a unique place in the American media landscape.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
The young left-wing candidate’s ascendancy spooked rich, politically-active donors.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 29 June 2025
For now, Israel is in the ascendancy: Iran’s nuclear program has been badly damaged, its 46-year-old Islamic regime is weakened and its proxy groups and allies throughout the region have been extensively damaged.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
Cite this Entry
“Ascendancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascendancy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən-sē
: controlling influence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share