1
as in dips
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude
the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demises
a loss of status
for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in incursions
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in ancestries
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a person of Finnish descent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in downhills
a downward slope
on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descents
Unlike rigid, stiff hiking boots, these felt cloud-like and responsive with every stride, which is essential during the repetitive stress of Alpine descents and inclines.
—
Nicolette Accardi, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
During certain portions of the race, competitors are forced to scramble on all fours while navigating steep inclines and narrow descents.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Nicolette Accardi, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
During certain portions of the race, competitors are forced to scramble on all fours while navigating steep inclines and narrow descents.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan for dense fog, heavy dew on grassy, sock-soaking paths, and take it easy on eroded descents.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basic forward, up, and down movements, the Super Sub can move laterally and make 45-degree descents or sharp turns at depth.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
The female athlete starts first, making two ascents, two descents and one section on foot.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The relay course is slightly bigger and involves two accents and two descents per lap.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Occasional descents into all-out war are a clear and present danger.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descents
Noun
-
The glass container has a pour spout and a spray nozzle so users can fill it up with the oil of their choice to grease pans or top dips.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Steyer’s boost comes as the poll shows fleeting support for Democrat candidates Katie Porter and Matt Mahan, who saw dips of five and three percentage points, respectively.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company Musk founded in 2002, has endured a few more fiery demises of the mammoth Starship rocket since that explosive debut.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
No reason was provided for the shops’ demises.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Federal aviation authorities have banned unauthorized drone flights over the stadiums, and Andrew Giuliani, the director of the White House’s World Cup task force, has described drone incursions as a leading threat.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
-
Such knowledge is desperately needed along Russia’s border with NATO where there has been a spate of drone incursions in recent months, including from Ukrainian drones sent off course by Russian jamming.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common.—
Philip Martin,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Eastern and western ancestries in Karelian Mesolithic dogs suggest that two lineages diverged during the Paleolithic.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The prospect of Shiffrin pairing with Lindsey Vonn, who’s excelled in the downhills this season, to fight for USA gold surely has NBC execs salivating.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Béis has expanded its offerings over the last few years to include kid-friendly luggage, stylish diaper bags, gym bags, commuter totes, and even fun, limited-edition color drops and collaborations.—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
This is not a shy whiskey, but a few drops of water round off the heat and let more citrus and vanilla shine through.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descents. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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