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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descent
In response to a new book detailing the extent of Biden’s descent into apparent dementia while in the White House, the former Los Angeles mayor suggested the pair had been complicit in covering up the former president’s decline from voters.
—
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
The system, according to an order outlining the President’s expectations back in January, is expected to intercept missiles during any of four stages of an attack: before launch, early flight, midcourse flight, and descent towards a target.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 May 2025
The Golden Dome system is envisioned as a multi-layered defense grid capable of intercepting missiles during any of the four main phases of an attack: pre-launch, boost phase, midcourse flight, and terminal descent.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
More than 12,000 people of Marshallese descent live in Springdale, according to the Marshallese Educational Initiative.
—Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
The system, according to an order outlining the President’s expectations back in January, is expected to intercept missiles during any of four stages of an attack: before launch, early flight, midcourse flight, and descent towards a target.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 May 2025
The Golden Dome system is envisioned as a multi-layered defense grid capable of intercepting missiles during any of the four main phases of an attack: pre-launch, boost phase, midcourse flight, and terminal descent.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
More than 12,000 people of Marshallese descent live in Springdale, according to the Marshallese Educational Initiative.
—Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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Except for a drop last year to 495 people, deaths of homeless people have risen steadily for at least a decade.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
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Rub it with a few drops of oil before putting it away to maintain the nonstick seasoning long term.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Sulzberger writes passionately about the existential threats facing a free press, from economic collapse to political intimidation, and how journalism must stand as a bulwark in a time of profound civic deterioration.—
Jessica Sibley,
Time,
19 May 2025
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On modern iPhones, Apple has a feature called Charge Limit that works as an opt-in feature limiting your phone to 80% charge to help reduce the deterioration of the battery.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Using her celebrity, Tabei was also an activist for environmental change in high-altitude regions, having grown appalled by the degradation of fragile mountain glaciers that was being caused by the mountaineering industry.—
Jenny Hall,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
Noun
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For all the obituaries written about ESG in the past year, reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.—
Daniel Sutter,
National Review,
16 May 2025
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This is not the time to issue a prediction of demise, not particularly close to it.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
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While some remain in fair condition, others have fallen victim to hazards ranging from ancient invasions to modern development.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 May 2025
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Preventive Measures Cultural Practices Since this weed grows the best in open areas with poor soil, keeping your lawn grass thick and healthy is a great line of defense against an invasion.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Noun
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But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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Hunger already killed her baby niece Dozens of babies have died of malnutrition, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and more than 53,000 people – or 4% of the entire population – have been killed since Israel launched its war following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas and its allies.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Expanding Knowledge on Prostate Cancer Researchers are now working to develop a version of the test that can detect more prostate cancer risk variants in other populations, such as those with Asian and African ancestry.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
14 May 2025
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As the first Catholic pope from the United States, Pope Leo XIV has an ancestry that traces back to the Creole and free people of color from Louisiana, illustrating complex and interconnected issues of race and class in American history.—
Maya Eaglin,
NBC news,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Best Things to Do Check out the world's longest downhill ski race.—
Noelle Salmi,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2025
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These workhorse muscles keep your knees aligned and stable, especially on downhills and uneven terrain, and play a key role in helping to support your pack weight.—
Adam Roy,
Outside Online,
9 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descent. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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