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
-
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
-
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
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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Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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These trade shifts are causing environmental degradation.—
Simi Thambi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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While some may still resist the demise of relatable Season 1 Shauna, both Lynskey and Nélisse relish the chance to explore her descent further as Showtime’s just renewed the series for Season 4.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2025
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Republicans might also remember that the 1798 restrictions on free speech/press played an important role in the election of President Jefferson and the effective demise of the Federalist Party.—
John A. Ragosta,
Baltimore Sun,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The previous talks on May 16 in the same Turkish city were the first direct peace negotiations since the early weeks of Moscow's 2022 invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 June 2025
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The previous talks on May 16 in the same Turkish city were the first direct peace negotiations since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion.—
Mehmet Guzel,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 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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The Pacers, behind an unrelenting uptempo attack and superior depth, have won the third and fourth quarters in both games, as well as overtime in Game 1.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Another approach, the phylogenetic species concept, emphasizes ancestry instead of breeding.—
Elay Shech,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
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For those without ancestry, the following nations offer quicker or simpler paths via residency.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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