1
as in dips
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude
the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demises
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in incursions
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in ancestries
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in downhills
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descents
Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents.
—
New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
When other resorts are battling bumps or bare spots, Baldy’s corduroy often remains impeccable, rewarding skiers and snowboarders who love speed, precision, and long, uninterrupted descents.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
When other resorts are battling bumps or bare spots, Baldy’s corduroy often remains impeccable, rewarding skiers and snowboarders who love speed, precision, and long, uninterrupted descents.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descents
Noun
-
But the returns on the trade haven't been as strong over time, and data on whether traders are still buying the dips amid the Middle East war is murky.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Take the seven-minute gondola lift up, then drive a plastic cart down the banked corners and dips of a mile-long luge course.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
No reason was provided for the shops’ demises.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Nov. 2025
-
The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This has occurred while the ground operation of incursions, checkpoints, village raids, and civilian abductions has continued at the same pace, the research said.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Iranian forces have built up their presence to prevent incursions by Iranian Kurdish militant groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency created after the September 11, 2001 attacks by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private screeners.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The attacks bring into sharp relief how some of the key selling points of crypto — decentralization from banks, the ease of transferring large sums, irreversible transactions — also double as its vulnerabilities.—
Megan Cassidy,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eastern and western ancestries in Karelian Mesolithic dogs suggest that two lineages diverged during the Paleolithic.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The prospect of Shiffrin pairing with Lindsey Vonn, who’s excelled in the downhills this season, to fight for USA gold surely has NBC execs salivating.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Add the mochiko, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and a few drops of vinegar, and stir until a smooth batter forms.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Christian wins individual immunity for Purple but drops.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descents. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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