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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Relevance
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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 assault
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
Mizrahi voters – Jews of Middle Eastern and North African descent – are traditionally a core Likud constituency, but Israel has never had a Mizrahi prime minister.
—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While there are some hills, the focus is on enjoying the forests, farmhouses, and long, winding descents rather than chasing summits.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
But it can be snapped back together and used as a snowboard for descents.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Tandem jumps are skydiving experiences where two people, often an instructor and a novice jumper, are attached together for the descent.
—
ABC News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
While there are some hills, the focus is on enjoying the forests, farmhouses, and long, winding descents rather than chasing summits.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
But it can be snapped back together and used as a snowboard for descents.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Tandem jumps are skydiving experiences where two people, often an instructor and a novice jumper, are attached together for the descent.
—
ABC News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
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Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.
Noun
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Noun
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
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Over time, this can increase electrical resistance, generate excess heat, and accelerate battery degradation.
Noun
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Windows Central, however, notes that the demise of the Surface Go is not related to the RAM crunch.
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But the spirit in which the challenge was launched was admirable and rooted in the fierce competitiveness that both made the SWC fun and perpetuated its demise.
Noun
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Ukrainska Pravda said he was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for ties to Russia, a year after Moscow launched its ongoing full-scale invasion.
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On a single night last week, Russia reported intercepting 660 drones across 12 regions — one of the largest Ukrainian attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Noun
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Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.
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Williams had an extraditable warrant out of Suffolk County, New York, on multiple charges including burglary, strangulation and assault.
Noun
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In a similar vein, Vice President Vance has claimed that Americans who can trace their ancestry to those who fought in the Civil War are more American than those who can’t.
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Thomas added that Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotional foundations, while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success.
Noun
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Atlanta could use a downhill, athletic guard next to CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker who can get half-court paint touches.
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Spanning 7,045 yards from the tips, this is a fun and fair thrill ride right from your opening downhill tee shot.
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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