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
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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
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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
Then Griffin descends on ropes, hits the stage hard, and seems a little stunned.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Riders will hear the menacing roar of a Mosasaurus just before descending the 84-foot water drop at the ride’s finale.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 20 May 2025
Thousands of lobster-seekers descend on the city to claim their share of the species each year.
—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
Great works aren’t always the result of the muse descending, and sometimes a career materializes by accident.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Riders will hear the menacing roar of a Mosasaurus just before descending the 84-foot water drop at the ride’s finale.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 20 May 2025
Thousands of lobster-seekers descend on the city to claim their share of the species each year.
—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
Great works aren’t always the result of the muse descending, and sometimes a career materializes by accident.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descend
Verb
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More housing with fewer people needing housing, prices will fall.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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In 2023, the number of fatalities fell slightly, to six fatal boating incidents resulting in seven deaths, according to state data.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Fiscal Policy Without exception, the fiscal position of large countries, including the United States, as measured by government debt relative to GDP, deteriorated due to the impact of spending during the pandemic.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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But the age and condition of the fleet could deteriorate further, even with an infusion of cash to buy new equipment, because the wait times are so long.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Any amount of sustained rain, much less a hurricane in what’s expected to be a busy season, can plunge the nation into more distress.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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Even as her job at The Dial plunged her deeper into the heart of Transcendentalism, Fuller began to separate herself from the movement.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Verb
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One protester, who climbed up and sat on the neck of the bull, was told to dismount by a New York City police officer.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
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Fixed an issue where Yasuke could block with his teppo after being dismounted instead of his melee weapon.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lake Norman State Park offers a long, gently sloping swim beach, lots of shade, picnic areas, hiking trails and even mountain biking routes.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2025
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The tranquil spaces blend streamlined, minimalist interiors with Korean architectural features like gently sloping tiled roofs, and antique paintings and furniture span the Joseon Dynasty era (14th–20th centuries).—
Leslie Patrick,
AFAR Media,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The strikes overwhelmed air defense systems, and the city was rife with fires burning, buildings crumbling, and other debris from the attacks.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
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The myth that Medicaid is for 'someone else' is crumbling fast.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The roll comes already dipped with soy sauce, so resist the urge to dunk each piece before taking a bite.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
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Soto was 0 for 4 and didn't get a ball out of the infield as his batting average dipped to .224.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The images of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron disembarking in Vietnam trigger a lot of comment.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2025
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In the sequel, the ark is now on dry land and the stowaway rats, Vini and Tito alongside female rat Nina, visit the other animals who have disembarked.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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