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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descent
Grace began its atmospheric descent at approximately 5:18 a.m. EDT (0918 GMT; locally, 2:18 am PT).
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 July 2025
In the United States, people of Hispanic descent have the highest rates of MASH, followed by people of European descent.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 July 2025
Dreams of a Breton win were short-lived, as he was caught soon after the descent, but the crowd appreciated his panache.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Fereshteh Hosseini, an Iranian actress of Afghan descent, was a natural choice for her role due to both her talent and presence.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 July 2025
In the United States, people of Hispanic descent have the highest rates of MASH, followed by people of European descent.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 July 2025
Dreams of a Breton win were short-lived, as he was caught soon after the descent, but the crowd appreciated his panache.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Fereshteh Hosseini, an Iranian actress of Afghan descent, was a natural choice for her role due to both her talent and presence.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
-
The sharpest drop comes from YouGov/CBS News polling conducted between July 16 and 18, which shows Trump's approval at just 42 percent, with 58 percent disapproving—a net rating of minus 16.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
-
The local decline in veteran homelessness is part of a record-breaking drop across the U.S. since 2010, when the federal government began a focused effort to end homelessness among veterans.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The art replaces a previous one that was located on Lake Street and removed in 2018 because of deterioration.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
Perry confirmed the system’s deterioration at the council’s May 28 meeting.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Despite being lightweight, the weeder is built with durability in mind and has a rust-resistant coating that protects it from corrosion and degradation over time.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
-
The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that accelerates degradation of the drive shafts’protective coating, increasing the susceptibility to damage from road debris, according to the recall report.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps then, when audiences witness the demise of a lawyer in an entertainment medium, their reaction may be more reflective of sympathy rather than satisfying delight.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Although many carmakers and consumers expected Trump to axe the tax credit, the rapidly approaching demise of the program (light speed in DC terms) is reverberating throughout the industry.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
At least 2,400 American troops died during the invasion on Omaha Beach.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
20 July 2025
-
The New York Times reports that climate change may catapult the mushrooms’ invasion even farther in North America, by making more areas of the continent increasingly habitable for the species.—
Amber X. Chen,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
And given that the English top flight jumped above the Bundesliga for the number of direct attacks per game last season, players who can be decisive at speed will continue to command premium prices.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The researchers note, however, that more individual genome sequences would be needed to fully understand variation in ancestry during this period of Egyptian history.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
18 July 2025
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Florida, 2010-2015 Betty Brock was a mother of seven who enjoyed singing and art, long bicycle rides, organizing family photos and researching her ancestry.—
Audrey Dutton,
ProPublica,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Overall, its versatile geometry, persistence on uphills, and speed on downhills won our hearts.—
The Editors,
Outside Online,
26 June 2025
-
Men’s downhill: Odermatt (605 points) leads countryman Franjo von Allmen by 83 points.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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