as in bowing
bending downward or forward
with descending heads the mourners made their way to the burial site
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in falling
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorating
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 plunging
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 dismounting
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 descending
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Their claws are designed for climbing up, but descending requires backing down—a challenge for some.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Guitarist Benji Shanks offered a fiery solo before the bridge and stabbing, descending lines at the end of the chorus.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The arms were descending and lights were flashing as a train barreled toward the intersection.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
Maus took her time descending the Belly Roll, Sergeant’s Chimney, and other sheer sections.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Sep. 2025
More than 2,200 elite track and field athletes are descending on Tokyo for the upcoming world championships, but Cooper Lutkenhaus might be the only one to pack homework.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Some lava tubes that wrap across the surface of the Red Planet could make perfect protective shells to position prefabricated human habitats transported aboard the massive Starship capsules that are now counting down to descending on Mars.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In late December 1980, US Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge saw strange lights descending into the forest.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The figure entered the school grounds through a tunnel under Campus Drive, checking his cellphone before descending underground, according to a probable cause affidavit attached to Robinson's arrest warrant.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Their claws are designed for climbing up, but descending requires backing down—a challenge for some.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Guitarist Benji Shanks offered a fiery solo before the bridge and stabbing, descending lines at the end of the chorus.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The arms were descending and lights were flashing as a train barreled toward the intersection.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025
Maus took her time descending the Belly Roll, Sergeant’s Chimney, and other sheer sections.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Sep. 2025
More than 2,200 elite track and field athletes are descending on Tokyo for the upcoming world championships, but Cooper Lutkenhaus might be the only one to pack homework.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Some lava tubes that wrap across the surface of the Red Planet could make perfect protective shells to position prefabricated human habitats transported aboard the massive Starship capsules that are now counting down to descending on Mars.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In late December 1980, US Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge saw strange lights descending into the forest.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descending
Verb
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Crafted in Ireland, the coach features dark brown panels adorned with golden scrollwork and a gilded roof, offering shelter from the light rain falling over Berkshire.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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With the last night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve falling on the same day this year – something that rarely happens – the reverend and rabbi choose to offer a joint service for their congregations.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The designation reflects the deteriorating relations between the United States and one of its closest Latin American allies.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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As Sweet noted, elevated inflation and deteriorating labor market conditions typically call for conflicting monetary responses.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The summit brings heart-stopping views of glacial valleys, sky-high waterfalls plunging through the rocky cliffs, and cascades of water far below.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The sleeveless dress featured a plunging neckline and slightly formfitting silhouette with a column skirt that flowed to the ground.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new cleat should be particularly appealing to racers – who need to snap back in as quickly as possible after dismounting – and to riders who are intimidated by the learning curve involved in using clipless pedals for the first time.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.—
Aylin Woodward,
WSJ,
21 Dec. 2021
Verb
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Chaos erupted as people on board had to scramble onto the sloping deck.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Yet the vertical bow, panoramic windows, and sloping stern form a design language instantly recognizable within the superyacht landscape.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In just a few days, the central bank is expected to lower interest rates for the first time since December to shore up America’s crumbling labor market.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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The film, based on a novel by Karina Sainz Borgo, stars Natalia Reyes as a woman forced to grapple with the death of her mother against the backdrop of a crumbling city and a gang that has overtaken her apartment building.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the greenback has depreciated against other major currencies this year, with the dollar index tumbling over 10%, those currencies have also weakened in value relative to gold, Dalio said, noting that gold has become the second largest reserve currency globally.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
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The problem with these ideas, however, is that much of the junk is tumbling.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descending. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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