1
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the pathway descends to the river bank
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of descend
Every year that the Kelces descend on the celebrity tournament, the crowds get larger and eager fans clamor for their attention.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Every year in late July, some 20,000 bartenders descend on New Orleans for a gathering called Tales of the Cocktail, what is, for the cocktail community, easily the stickiest party of the year.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 July 2025
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Every year in late July, some 20,000 bartenders descend on New Orleans for a gathering called Tales of the Cocktail, what is, for the cocktail community, easily the stickiest party of the year.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 July 2025
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July, which falls on July 20 this year.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
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According to data from professional services giant PwC, global M & A volumes fell 9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, but deal values were up by 15%.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
21 July 2025
Verb
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The two deteriorating sites are both on the radar of municipal officials.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
21 July 2025
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The rallies are borne of a deep dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the deteriorating quality of public services, the administration’s overzealous approach to taxation, and police brutality.—
Ken Opalo,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Khloé Kardashian is spotted wearing a brown outfit with a plunging neckline and a chunky silver necklace while enjoying dinner in Malibu with Kris Jenner (not pictured).—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Dragoons followed in leather breeches and woolen gaiters, dismounted for the moment but hopeful of finding American horses ahead.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
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Fixed an issue where players attempting to save and load during the 'Get on your mount' objective caused Rin to spawn dismounted and follow Yasuke on foot, blocking progression.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The building, constructed largely of brass and glass, slopes downward from west to east.—
Miceala Morano,
Arkansas Online,
18 July 2025
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The keys are split and slope upward for maximum comfort.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The school plans to kick off the upcoming high school football season with the new seating, which replaced crumbling concrete bleachers that were estimated at roughly 50 years old.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
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Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Seabreeze makes hot chocolate and dipped cones for An’s Gelato, the parent company of several award winning gelaterias including An’s Hatmakers.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
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Of some concern to BBC bosses will be the corporation’s reach with young people, which dipped from 70% to 67% in 2024-25 – below its target.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Article 17 of the Montreal Convention states that a carrier is liable for damages for death or injuries incurred by passengers on board an aircraft, or while embarking or disembarking.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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One crew member floated another theory: Amy might have disembarked and was still on the island.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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