1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descend
As war descended on Iran, the regime once again cut off internet and communications across the country, controlling its people and silencing their messages of resilience.
—
ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Royals were surrounded by the hundreds of people who descended on the campus in Charlotte to celebrate the team reaching its NCAA Tournament dreams — including several of the school’s top officials, many of whom know just how far the program has come in such a short amount of time.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2026
Iran had already descended into the worst economic crisis in its history in December, characterized by sky-high inflation, food shortages, an energy crisis, and the spread of poverty.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026
But while his fever eventually lifted, frighteningly intense cognitive symptoms descended.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The Royals were surrounded by the hundreds of people who descended on the campus in Charlotte to celebrate the team reaching its NCAA Tournament dreams — including several of the school’s top officials, many of whom know just how far the program has come in such a short amount of time.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2026
Iran had already descended into the worst economic crisis in its history in December, characterized by sky-high inflation, food shortages, an energy crisis, and the spread of poverty.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026
But while his fever eventually lifted, frighteningly intense cognitive symptoms descended.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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The team with the worst record can fall no lower than fifth in the draft while the team with the fourth-worst record can fall as far as eighth.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Midway through the third quarter, Ralston Valley pushed the ball in transition with the Jaguars falling slightly out of control.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their goal was to get control over their local water supply like their neighbors, in order to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure and rein in rising water rates.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The turtle slows, more organisms attach, and the animal’s condition deteriorates.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As temperatures plunge, rain is expected to transition into snow.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
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Back then, the S & P 500 plunged over 40% in a year as a recession occurred alongside the OPEC oil crisis.—
Morgan Chittum,Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stopping, the man dismounted and shot that big bear square in the chest.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
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The popular halftime performer known as Red Panda finished her signature seven-minute set, looked up at a crowd of fans chanting her name and flashed a smile before dismounting.—
Alanis Thames,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But by stabilizing and then regrouping constructively, Interdigital has now traced out a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern with an upward-sloping neckline.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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Jost, who also submitted comments to the MPCA on her own behalf, noted that major flooding could someday spread hazardous waste that is buried dozens of feet down, and the site could eventually pose a threat to slope stability.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Inspired by the helter-skelter brickwork of Chiang Mai's crumbling temples, their façades feature masonry laid in intricate motifs and wooden lattices that create beautiful shadowy patterns when the sun hits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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The lack of oil has exacerbated the existing problems with Cuba’s crumbling electrical grid and led to nearly constant blackouts all over the island.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Flush the pests away with a strong stream of water, followed by a damp cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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According to Labor Department data, the pace of growth in fiscal year 2025 dipped slightly from the year before.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Any day the D’Oyly Carte could disembark at Lime Street station and hire every available hand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
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Travelers can disembark in towns like Ticonderoga to visit Fort Ticonderoga, a key Revolutionary War site overlooking the lake, or continue north toward Plattsburgh, where waterfront trails and kayaking launches offer easy access to the water.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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