descend

verb

di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio)
Definition of descendnext
1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward the pathway descends to the river bank

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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

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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

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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

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.
Recent Examples of descend This year’s gathering saw more than 600 guests descend upon the East Coast home of Marcus Brown and his family, who previously hosted the benefit in 2024. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 Every few years, the LGBTQ+ communities and allies descend on a city for a jam-packed, multi-week program of events celebrating Pride. — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 Steelers training camp is a marquee event for the college in Latrobe, which is hosting the team for the 59th consecutive season, as fans from all over the country descend on the Westmoreland County city to watch their beloved black and gold. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 28 July 2026 While pilgrims ascended the mountain, Mayo supporters descended en masse on Dublin for the final at Croke Park, splashing the county’s colours across the capital. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
  1. fall
  2. deteriorate
  3. plunge
  4. dismount
  5. slope
  6. crumble
  7. dip
  8. disembark
Verb
  • Such is the fate that befalls Meta, whose shares fell as much as 10% in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company missed earnings due to costs ballooning 55% (Meta’s stock later recovered some ground and was down 7%).
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • Rain fell early Thursday in the city of Bordeaux to the east.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • The exact cause isn’t known, but Parkinson’s develops when cells that produce one of the brain’s chemical messengers — dopamine — begin to deteriorate and die.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • At the risk level, probability models can detect deteriorating household conditions, weakening purchase intentions or rising caution before these forces appear in traditional economic releases.
    — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • Meta’s stock plunged 8% Thursday, continuing its historic losing streak after lackluster earnings and revenue projections dimmed investor confidence in CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s AI vision.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
  • The Avatar actress was co-star Nicole Kidman’s sartorial opposite at the Lioness season 3 premiere in New York City, infusing a little rock ‘n roll glamour into her ultra-plunging look.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of plunge
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage involved in the fatal crash suspended the driver indefinitely and plans to retire the horse, according to union officials, who said the driver improperly dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Brace for notorious Keyserville Road, a long sandy slope where some cyclists dismount and push.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of dismount
Verb
  • Sprawling acres of largely barren farmland, still owned by the sugarcane plantations that dominated the islands’ economy for a century, line the side of the highway here, gently sloping toward the craggy green cliffs of the Waimea Canyon.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Across from the bed, the ceiling sloped precipitously, with a dormer cut into it.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • Inspired by the bright, herb-forward flavors of traditional Middle Eastern tabbouleh, this hearty variation replaces bulgur with fluffy couscous and adds roasted eggplant and crumbled feta for extra substance and depth.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Tribal leaders warn that unstable oversight and crumbling facilities endanger Native students’ futures.
    — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • But just as staggering was one of the overnight lows, which dipped to only a searing 97 degrees F (36 degrees C)—a tie for the hottest low that the city’s ever seen, a record first set just three years ago.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 July 2026
  • Just a few months ago, mortgage rates dipped below 6% for the first time in years, fueling hopes that lower borrowing costs would revive the sluggish housing market.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • On a visit to Grand Cayman during a 2024 trip with Disney Cruise Line, Lee, who uses a wheelchair, was able to board and disembark the tender – a small boat used to ferry guests between an anchored cruise ship and the shore – via a portable ramp.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 July 2026
  • Crew members were not permitted to disembark during her eight-month contract, but the isolation brought them unusually close.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Definition of disembark

Phrases Containing descend

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descend
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Cite this Entry

“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of descend for Spanish Speakers

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