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
The officials, clad in protective hazmat suits, descended on the family’s garage where Fritz — who hopes to one day become a doctor — had set up his mini lab.
—
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Dozens of squad cars and law enforcement vehicles descended along what’s normally a busy roadway lined with hotels and auto businesses a few miles west of Midland’s downtown.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
But there was something regal about a president descending those steps, or waving from the top of them, on foreign soil.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
As World Cup fans descend on the 16 stadiums in use for the largest-ever World Cup in history, the food in each venue is meant to evoke a sense of place.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Dozens of squad cars and law enforcement vehicles descended along what’s normally a busy roadway lined with hotels and auto businesses a few miles west of Midland’s downtown.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
But there was something regal about a president descending those steps, or waving from the top of them, on foreign soil.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
As World Cup fans descend on the 16 stadiums in use for the largest-ever World Cup in history, the food in each venue is meant to evoke a sense of place.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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The Cougars fell 34-7 to the Red Raiders in their championship game, a slightly larger margin of defeat than Alabama’s 21-point loss to the Bulldogs.—
Jordy Fee-Platt,
New York Times,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Cronin highlighted the fact that in his team-high 38 minutes, Dent did a lot to wear down Ducks defenders – whether or not his shots were falling, as fickle as shots can be.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Over the past year, the once-robust ties between India and the US –– both members of the Quad security grouping –– have deteriorated as political and economic strains have begun to overshadow their strategic partnership.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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But with weeks to go, relations between the two sides could deteriorate further, potentially marring a national event that both say should be unifying.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Amazon slashed prices on this season’s trendiest styles just in time to bundle up as temperatures plunge.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
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The developers, mired in corruption and conspiracy, plunge ahead, of course.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Its extended step-through alloy frame allows riders to mount and dismount with ease, eliminating the need to swing a leg high over the saddle — a small but important upgrade for anyone with limited flexibility or those riding in casual clothes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Nov. 2025
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After having dismounted, the person crossed the street and moved into a wooded area.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the public on Friday, on Juneteenth, hugs the north end of Jackson Park, runs alongside a lagoon, rises 225 feet at its highest, and rolls backward down Stony Island Avenue, settling into 58,000 square feet of brilliantly green sloping lawn.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
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The village boutiques scattered along the sloping cobblestone alleys are just a five-minute stroll away, and offer the standard unremarkable Provence souvenirs—traditional fabrics, yellow pottery, straw bags, and sweet-smelling soaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Verb
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During the morning low tide, while there was still a small stretch of sand, excavators were working to pile large rip-rap boulders next to the base of the crumbling Pacifica Pier.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Cube and pan-fry firm tofu until golden, crumble into scrambles or tacos, marinate and bake, or add to curries and stir-fries.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Data center operator CoreWeave and other chipmakers, like AMD and Micron, also dipped into the red.—
Jarrod Barry,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
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But even that debut was dipped in controversy.—
Desiree Mathurin
December 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Those who arrive by boat are permitted to stay for one hour only on the dunes, and disembarking with rucksacks or cool bags will not be allowed.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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May 11, 2026Oceanwide Expeditions says 87 guests and 35 crew members from 22 counties have disembarked the ship and returned home, and the boat is now en route to the Netherlands with 25 crew members and two medical professionals on board.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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