ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən(t)-sē 

variants or less commonly ascendency

: governing or controlling influence : domination

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• ascendance
• ascendence
• dominance
• domination
• dominion
• hegemony
• imperium
• predominance
• predominancy
• preeminence
• reign
• sovereignty
• sovranty
• supremacy

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

Moving swiftly—accepting HTS’s ascendancy, negotiating pragmatic terms with Kurdish elements—might signal adaptability and secure Turkey’s seat at the table. —Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

The way Obregon tells it, his ascendancy was accidental. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2024

What seems far more likely is that a second Trump Presidency would lead to unprecedented theft from public programs like Social Security and Medicare, the full ascendancy of tech and Wall Street oligarchies, and a further dissolution of the public’s faith in the government. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Xi is particularly confident that structural trends—as evidenced by the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of populist movements in the West—favor China’s ascendancy. —Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ascendancy

noun

as·​cen·​dan·​cy ə-ˈsen-dən-sē 

: controlling influence