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
The rapid descent in the S & P 500 is unusual, given that it was accomplished in just 22 calendar days, far shorter than the average of 80 days in 38 other examples of declines of 10% or more going back to World War II, according to CFRA Research.
—
Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
After plunging toward home, the Crew Dragon spacecraft deployed two sets of parachutes in quick succession to further slow its descent.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Dragon continued its stately descent, falling to 400 meters, then 300, and then 200 above the ocean.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025
The lander watched our star's descent and disappearance over the cratered horizon, capturing the oncoming, killing darkness in a poignant video that Firefly shared with the world today (March 18).
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
After plunging toward home, the Crew Dragon spacecraft deployed two sets of parachutes in quick succession to further slow its descent.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Dragon continued its stately descent, falling to 400 meters, then 300, and then 200 above the ocean.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025
The lander watched our star's descent and disappearance over the cratered horizon, capturing the oncoming, killing darkness in a poignant video that Firefly shared with the world today (March 18).
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for descent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descent
Noun
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The Chargers looked past Quentin Johnston’s 13 career drops at TCU and took him in the first round.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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That could be in the range of the biggest drop in sales in the company’s history, nearly twice the drop during the early months of the pandemic, when factories and showrooms were closed due to stay-at-home orders.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Kahle, who early on recognized the ephemeral nature of the web, said the rapid deterioration of the living web is a serious threat to historical preservation.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2025
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Of course, however, a severe deterioration in the U.S. economy would have global repercussions.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sharon Perez, senior business development manager at Lenzing Group, noted that there are three potential ways to design with a product’s end of life in mind: circularity, degradation and durability.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Apr. 2025
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Many countries and regions are recognizing the importance of integrating conservation principles into their agricultural practices, particularly in areas facing significant agricultural challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and resource scarcity.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Republicans celebrated the demise of Black Lives Matter Plaza, which was completely dismantled and repainted.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2025
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Some experts believe that cutting personnel at Social Security will hasten the demise of the whole system.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In its latest estimate, the U.K. Defense Ministry said Russian troops suffered 900,000 casualties -- including up to 250,000 killed -- since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine three years ago.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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His Lawyers Reply to Justin Baldoni Wayfarer brings claims against Jones for breach of contract, while Abel brings claims for fraud, invasion of privacy and unfair competition, among others.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Palestine Red Crescent Society said four of its ambulances had been surrounded after responding to an Israeli attack in Rafah.—
Abeer Salman,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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Astringent attack followed by a dense, chewy and edgy mid palate rich with flavors of fudge, chocolate and black cherries; on the finish—toffee, brownies and an explosion of red cherries.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The only reason to invoke such a power is to try to enable sweeping detentions and deportations of Venezuelans based on their ancestry, not on any gang activity that could be proved in immigration proceedings.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of Americans regardless of their ancestry.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Between Vonn, a living legend; 29-year-old Breezy Johnson, who took gold in the downhill at February’s alpine skiing world championships; and rising star Macuga, there’s a lot to love in the speed department on the U.S. Ski Team.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
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Street represented the United States at three Olympic Games, taking silver in the downhill at Lillehammer in 1994 and winning the gold in super G at Nagano in 1998.—
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 5 Apr. 2025.
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