1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the order of the classroom descended into chaos when the teacher left the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to plunge
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
leaves slowly descended from the branches in the gentle autumn wind wait for the elevator to descend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to dismount
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
the driver descended from the truck's cab, dreading to see what he had hit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descend
Every year that the Kelces descend on the celebrity tournament, the crowds get larger and eager fans clamor for their attention.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Every year in late July, some 20,000 bartenders descend on New Orleans for a gathering called Tales of the Cocktail, what is, for the cocktail community, easily the stickiest party of the year.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 July 2025
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Every year in late July, some 20,000 bartenders descend on New Orleans for a gathering called Tales of the Cocktail, what is, for the cocktail community, easily the stickiest party of the year.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 July 2025
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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Then the tarp came out as rain that had been falling around Bristol much of Saturday turned heavy and delayed the start.—
Teresa M. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
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Pair them with billowy blouses to close out the summer, then whip out your favorite chunky knit sweaters come fall for a stylish, boho look.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Longtime customers had speculated about Cub Foods’ decline in Midway since customer service began deteriorating early in the pandemic.—
Gloria Ngwa,
Twin Cities,
1 Aug. 2025
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Another attempt is likely Friday, although weather conditions will deteriorate somewhat.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The yield on the two-year Treasury, which is more sensitive to Fed rates, plunged almost 27 basis points.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
1 Aug. 2025
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In the second quarter, as tariffs took effect, imports plunged and companies sold off their inventories.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Dragoons followed in leather breeches and woolen gaiters, dismounted for the moment but hopeful of finding American horses ahead.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
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Fixed an issue where players attempting to save and load during the 'Get on your mount' objective caused Rin to spawn dismounted and follow Yasuke on foot, blocking progression.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The building, constructed largely of brass and glass, slopes downward from west to east.—
Miceala Morano,
Arkansas Online,
18 July 2025
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The home sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, positioned at the bottom of about 2 acres of sloping land off a narrow public road.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
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Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The share of adults in the workforce dipped to 62.3% last month, the lowest since December 2022.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
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The compilation, which gathers together many of Linkin Park’s most famous tunes and was released shortly before From Zero arrived, dips one space to No. 23.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Article 17 of the Montreal Convention states that a carrier is liable for damages for death or injuries incurred by passengers on board an aircraft, or while embarking or disembarking.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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One crew member floated another theory: Amy might have disembarked and was still on the island.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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