ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 
variants
or less commonly ascendency
: governing or controlling influence : domination
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In the course of a year, the sun appears to pass through the twelve constellations of the zodiac in sequence, and all the planets also lie close to the solar path. The constellation and planet that are just rising, or ascendant, above the eastern horizon in the sun's path at the moment of a child's birth are said by astrologers to exercise a lifelong controlling influence over the child. This is the idea that lies at the heart of ascendancy, though the word today no longer hints at supernatural powers.
Examples of ascendancy in a Sentence
the ascendancy of the government
a book chronicling the ascendancy of fascism in Europe after World War I
Recent Examples on the Web
In the aftermath of Trump’s second ascendancy to the Oval Office this January, legislators in at least five states have introduced measures asking the Supreme Court to officially overturn Obergefell.
—
Samantha Riedel, Them., 27 Mar. 2025
Suddenly, Madrid were in the ascendancy and Barcelona looked flustered.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
But Clay and the Beatles got along well, joking, mugging, reveling in the joy of their irreverent ascendancy.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Trump did not wave some magic wand to make this happen, but his ascendancy reminded the Right of the precarious nature of unpopular speech.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
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Samantha Riedel, Them., 27 Mar. 2025
Suddenly, Madrid were in the ascendancy and Barcelona looked flustered.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
But Clay and the Beatles got along well, joking, mugging, reveling in the joy of their irreverent ascendancy.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Trump did not wave some magic wand to make this happen, but his ascendancy reminded the Right of the precarious nature of unpopular speech.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascendancy
Cite this Entry
“Ascendancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascendancy. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascendancy
noun
as·cen·dan·cy
ə-ˈsen-dən-sē
: controlling influence
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