1
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude
the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field
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2
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the family patriarch's heartbreaking descent into infirmity and senility
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3
as in degradation
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
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4
as in demise
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
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5
as in invasion
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town
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6
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields
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7
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
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8
as in downhill
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of descent
At that point, the sub had reached a depth of about 3,300 meters and was about 90 minutes into its descent to the ocean floor to give passengers on board an up-close view of the Titanic.
—
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The waist belt itself is next-level in comfort and adjustability, thanks to its venting (which includes a mesh cover across the back pads to increase airflow) for the ups, as well as extra cinching for singletrack descents.
—Nikki Rohan, Outside Online, 23 May 2025
For perhaps not so selfless reasons of his own, her rival, Peter Murdoch, is also making the descent.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Sam Morelos On Their Filipino Heritage And All The Philippine Elements In Summer Of 69
Like Morelos, Abby Flores is of Filipino descent, but the character wasn’t originally written that way in the script.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The waist belt itself is next-level in comfort and adjustability, thanks to its venting (which includes a mesh cover across the back pads to increase airflow) for the ups, as well as extra cinching for singletrack descents.
—Nikki Rohan, Outside Online, 23 May 2025
For perhaps not so selfless reasons of his own, her rival, Peter Murdoch, is also making the descent.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Sam Morelos On Their Filipino Heritage And All The Philippine Elements In Summer Of 69
Like Morelos, Abby Flores is of Filipino descent, but the character wasn’t originally written that way in the script.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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This year’s increase would compare with a 0.4% rise in 2024 following drops of 7% and nearly 15% in 2023 and 2022, respectively, from inflated prices during the Covid-19 pandemic.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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Sinner broke Djokovic again at 4-3 in the second set, which included a nasty cut drop from the baseline that the 24-time major winner stretched for but couldn’t reach.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Noun
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They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.—
Rachel Blumberg,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
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In regions affected by conflict, natural disasters or climate degradation, these irreplaceable sites and items are in jeopardy.—
Sattie Persaud,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Both research teams documented severe performance degradation on problems requiring extended systematic reasoning.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2025
Noun
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So while Oyun-Erdene’s demise was likely rooted in factional bickering rather than a nefarious power grab, the debacle contains a stark warning that Mongolia’s political class needs to start pulling in the same direction for cherished freedoms to be secured.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 June 2025
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So basically, their awful demise is now a sense of joy for the people that are down there digging up the bones.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The previous talks on May 16 in the same Turkish city were the first direct peace negotiations since the early weeks of Moscow's 2022 invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 June 2025
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Moscow has used long-range bombers and their cruise missile armaments to attack Ukrainian cities throughout the full-scale invasion.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Try supplements: Certain supplements, such as Riboflavin and CoQ10, can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.—
Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
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Gangs control at least 85% of its capital, Port-au-Prince, and have launched attacks in the country’s central region in recent years.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Noun
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For those without ancestry, the following nations offer quicker or simpler paths via residency.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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Another approach, the phylogenetic species concept, emphasizes ancestry instead of breeding.—
Elay Shech,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Men’s downhill: Odermatt (605 points) leads countryman Franjo von Allmen by 83 points.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Mar. 2025
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Namely, making a downhill defender have to turn on a dime and sprint uphill, backpedaling between wing and prayer.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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